Interfacial Transition Zone in Reactive Powder Concretes (RPC) Cured under Various Hydrothermal Conditions

Abstract

Reactive powder concrete (RPC), due to its characteristic composition with reduced water quantity, often below a stoichiometric ratio, the addition of pozzolana usually close to or above 20% of the weight of cement and a significantly reduced inclusion rate compared to normal or high performance concrete, has a different nature of the interfacial transition zone between the micro aggregate grains and the binder matrix. Due to the significant influence of RPC curing conditions on the morphology of the interfacial transition zone, the analysis included composites cured in water of Tmax=20°C, subject to low-pressure steam curing Tmax=90°C and autoclaved at Tmax=250°C. The paper presents a qualitative assessment of the interfacial transition zone in reactive powder concretes with the use of a scanning microscope with the use of linear EDS and quantitative analysis by means of stereological analysis of the image obtained with the use of a BSE detector. The results of the study unequivocally confirm the lack of portlandite crystallisation at the phase interface and the different phase composition in the interfacial transition zone in relation to the mean mass composition.