US EPA

4999758 

Journal Article 

Porosity and specific surface area of Roman cement pastes 

Tislova, R; Kozlowska, A; Kozlowski, R; Hughes, D 

2009 

Yes 

Cement and Concrete Research
ISSN: 0008-8846 

39 

10 

950-956 

10.1016/j.cemconres.2009.06.020 

WOS:000270706400015 

Mercury porosimetry, water vapour and nitrogen adsorption were used to follow the hydration of Roman cements - belite cements calcined at low temperature. Generally, unimodal distribution of pore sizes was observed, with the threshold pore width decreasing considerably with increasing curing time. An open porous structure with the threshold pore diameter between 0.2 and 0.8 mu m and the specific surface area not exceeding 20 m(2)/g was produced at early ages when quick growth of the C-A-H phases is observed. The surface area reached up to 120 m(2)/g and the threshold pore width shifted to around 0.02 mu m when the subsequent formation of C-S-H gel filled the larger pores. Both mercury porosimetry and water vapour adsorption were found to be capable of following the progress of hydration of the Roman cements with high reliability at least for a comparative evaluation of historic Roman cement mortars and repair materials used in restoration projects. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 

Mercury porosimetry; Pore size distribution; Surface area; Cement paste; Roman cement