Nanosilica effects on composition and silicate polymerization in hardened cement paste cured under high temperature and pressure

Cement pastes of water to cement ratio (w/c) of 0.45 with and without nanosilica are hydrated under two conditions, room condition (20 °C with 0.1 MPa pressure) and an oil well condition (80 °C with 10 MPa pressure) for 7 days. For the cement pastes with nanosilica, 1% and 3% of cements weights were replaced by nanosilica. The composition of the hardened cement pastes is investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments are used to quantify the silicate polymerization in hydrated cement paste. Microstructural phases are identified according to the corresponding mechanical property using nanoindentation. The results showed that under room curing conditions, hardened cement paste with 1% nanosilica has the highest level of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) polymerization. However, under high temperature and pressure curing conditions, hardened cement paste with 3% nanosilica has the highest level of C–S–H polymerization. A new relatively stiff microstructural phase is observed in cement pastes incorporating nanosilica and cured under elevated pressure and temperature conditions. The significance of curing conditions and nanosilica content on the polymerization and stiffness of hydrated cement pastes are discussed.