Development of rapid-hardening ultra-high strength cementitious composites using superzeolite and N-C-S-H-PCE alkaline nanomodifier

It is shown that high operational reliability of structural materials, in particular at high temperatures, is achieved through the use of ultra-high strength cement composites. Studies of various types of Portland cements with mineral additives of the CEM II/A type have established that a stone based on Portland cement with superzeolite is the most resistant to high temperatures. It has been proven that due to the "self-autoclaving" effect, the strength of a stone based on CEM II/A-P 42.5 R is 1.2–1.3 times higher than a stone based on other types of CEM II/A. To obtain fast-hardening cement composites, a nanotechnological approach based on the use of sol-gel technology has been implemented. Using the methods of IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, the fact of obtaining, by the chemical method of synthesis, an alkaline nanomodifier N-C-S-H-PCE, which is a nano–liquid based on nano-core seeds of sodium/calcium hydrosilicates, has been proved. It has been confirmed that the introduction of the alkaline nanomodifier N-C-S-H-PCE provides a significant intensification of the early structure formation processes in the paste based on Portland cement with superzeolite (after 12 hours, 24 hours and 28 days, the strength is 16.9; 30.5 and 104.1 MPa). It has been established that the complex combination of Portland cement with superzeolite, corundum aggregate, basalt fiber and alkaline nanomodifier provides rapid-hardening of ultra-high strength cement composites (T=400 °C) with improved operational properties. Thus, there is reason to assert the feasibility of developing rapid-hardening ultra-high strength cementitious composites. This solves the problems associated with the need to increase their early strength and performance. As a result, it is possible to carry out repair work to protect equipment from abrasive wear at elevated temperatures

Strength and Water-Repelling Properties of Cement Mortar Mixed with Water Repellents

In this study, the compressive strength and water contact angle of mortar specimens prepared by mixing two types of water repellent with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and rapid-hardening cement mortar were measured before and after surface abrasion. In addition, the hydration products and chemical bonding of cement mortar with the repellents were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to evaluate the performance of these cement mortar mixtures as repair materials. We found that the fast-hardening cement mortar mixture containing the oligomer water repellent showed the best performance with a high compressive strength and large water contact angle. With the oligomer water repellent, the rapid-hardening cement mortar mixture showed contact angles of 131° and 126° even after a 2 mm abrasion, thereby confirming that the water repellent secured hydrophobicity through strong bonding with the entire cement mortar as well as its surface. The compressive strengths were found to be 34.5 MPa at 3 h and 54.8 MPa at 28 days, confirming that hydration occurred well despite the addition of water repellent.

MODIFICATION OF CEMENTITIOUS MATRIX OF RAPID-HARDENING HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETES

The paper presents the results of research concerning the peculiarities of modern High Performance Concretes based on cementitious systems "Portland cement – active mineral additives – micro fillers – superplasticizers – accelerators of hardening". Physico-chemical regularities of structure formation of super plasticized cementitious systems are established. It is shown that the formation of secondary fine ettringite due to the interaction of active alumina with calcium hydroxide and gypsum in the non-clinker part of the binder because of the effect of "self-reinforcement" compensates for shrinkage and increases the strength of the cementitious system. The modification of the cementitious matrix makes it possible to obtain Rapid Hardening High Performance Concretes that provide early loading and turnover of the formwork of monolithic constructions.

Rapid stress hardening in the Antarctic midge improves male fertility by increasing courtship success and preventing decline of accessory gland proteins following cold exposure

Rapid hardening is a process that quickly improves an animal's performance following exposure to a potentially damaging stress. In this study of the Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica (Diptera, Chironomidae), we examine how rapid hardening in response to dehydration (RDH) or cold (RCH) improves male pre- and post-copulatory function when the insects are subsequently subjected to a damaging cold exposure. Neither RDH nor RCH improved survival in response to lethal cold stress, but male activity and mating success following sublethal cold exposure was enhanced. Egg viability decreased following direct exposure of the mating males to sublethal cold but improved following RCH and RDH. Sublethal cold exposure reduced expression of four accessory gland proteins, while expression remained high in males exposed to RCH. Though rapid hardening may be cryptic in males, this study shows that it can be revealed by pre- and post-copulatory interactions with females.