The effect of hydrophobic amorphous carbon powder on the compressive strength, water absorption and rheological attributes of cement mortar

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on three different aspects of cement mortars incorporating amorphous carbon powder; rheology, strength and water absorption. Amorphous carbon powder is a by-product of the paraffin industry and was replaced with 0, 4, 6 and 8% of aggregate. Rheological tests were conducted immediately after mixing procedure, the strength of mortars was investigated by two methods; compressive and flexural at the age of 7 and 28 days. Furthermore, the water absorption of specimens was determined. Using Amorphous carbon powder was detrimental in terms of workability. However, after 28 days compressive and flexural strengths increased and water absorption declined with the addition of amorphous carbon powder, thus reducing the risk to degradation over time in severe environments.