Effect of nickel containing mixing water on the properties blended cement mortar

Abstract

Influence of Nickel(Ni) present in the water which is used for mixing of blended cement was experimentally evaluated. The properties investigated were setting times, soundness, compressive strength, and durability aspects like acid attack, alkaline attack and sulphate attack. Specimens were prepared by using the de-ionized as well as Nickel(Ni) spiked de-ionized water for reference and the test samples respectively. The concentrations of Nickel(Ni) tested for different samples are 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000mg/L. It is observed that on comparison with reference specimens, the setting process of cement of test specimens has increased with increase of Nickel proportion in de-ionized water. Increase of initial setting time was insignificant up to 100 mg/L concentration whereas the same for final setting time was significant for all concentrations. Change in expansion of cement mortar is insignificant up to 3000 mg/L concentrations of the Nickel(Ni). The change in strength was noticed to be insignificant at all the concentrations of Nickel(Ni). However, there is an increase in strength with higher Nickel proportion up to 2000 mg/L. This proportion of 2000 mg/L was considered as the reference mix for conducting durability tests. The strength as well as weight loss for the specimen mortar cubes placed in acidic medium are severe compared to that of alkaline and sulphate solutions with increase in age.