Open AccessPozzolanic activity of argentine vitreous breccia containing mordenite
Author(s) -
Viviana L. Bonavetti,
Viviana Fátima Rahhal,
Francisco Locati,
Edgardo F. Irassar,
Silvina Andrea Marfil,
Pedro Maiza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
materiales de construcción
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1988-3226
pISSN - 0465-2746
DOI - 10.3989/mc.2020.04019
Subject(s) - pozzolan , pozzolanic activity , pozzolanic reaction , scanning electron microscope , compressive strength , mordenite , materials science , portland cement , breccia , nuclear chemistry , mineralogy , chemistry , zeolite , cement , composite material , geology , organic chemistry , geochemistry , catalysis
A vitreous breccia with variable amount of mordenite was studied for its use as pozzolan. The raw material was characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the zeolite content was estimated by the methylene blue staining technique. After being ground, physical characteristics, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pozzolanicity, and the compressive strength activity index (SAI) were determined. The staining technique and the CEC measurement were used to evaluate the average content of zeolite. The vitreous breccia has pozzolanic activity after 7 days, the water demand increases slightly, and its addition stimulates the early hydration of portland cement. At later ages, the pozzolanic reaction around the grains, as revealed by SEM studies, improves the compressive strength of blended cements having a SAI > 0.85 at 28 days.