An experimental investigation of hydration mechanism of cement with silicane

The article aimed mainly to research the influence of silicane on the hydration mechanism of cement paste containing different dosages silicane using Standard consistency water consumption, the setting time, fluidity, porosity and the degree of hydration test. Meanwhile, the Micro-structures mechanism of cement paste were researched by the Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Nitrogen-absorption and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Modified cement paste specimens were prepared by adding 1%, 3% and 5% silicane into control cement paste, respectively. the Standard consistency water consumption and the setting time were evaluated using Vicat apparatus. Non-evaporable water content was employed to assess the degree of hydration of the cement paste. The fluidity of cement paste specimens was characterized using flow table apparatus. Experimental results showed that for the silicane and mix designs used in the article, the incorporation of silicane generally increased the fluidity, porosity and setting time, however, decreased the degree of hydration and Standard consistency water consumption compared with the control cement paste. In addition, the analysis of XRD, FT-IR, Nitrogen-absorption test and SEM revealed the hydration mechanism and the connection between macroscopic and micro-mechanism of cement paste incorporating different dosages silicane.