Trade Journals for the Concrete Industry

The potential durability of inorganic polymer concrete made with fly ash and slag was investigated by comparing the durability properties of inorganic polymer and Portland cement-based concrete. Concrete was cured at ambient and elevated temperatures to simulate normal site and precast concrete conditions. Findings from porosity, oxygen permeability and chloride resistance testing show that inorganic polymer concrete has significant differences in microstructure to Portland cement concrete. The higher porosity of inorganic polymer concrete (IPC) was found to be caused by differences in paste porosity and the presence of compaction voids due to the viscous nature of the material. High strength IPC mixes had moderate permeability and chloride resistance was generally poorer than PC-based concrete.