Resistance of plain and blended cement mortars exposed to severe sulfate attacks

► Plain and blended cement mortars were immersed into Na2SO4 and MgSO4 solutions. ► From the aspect of chemical attacks, MgSO4 solution is more damaging than Na2SO4. ► Conversely, Na2SO4 is more harmful than MgSO4, when physical attacks are considered. ► The addition of pozzolan improved mortar resistance to Na2SO4. ► However, pozzolan mortars are aggravated by MgSO4 from a chemical standpoint.