Durability of cementitious binder derived from industrial wastes

The durability of cementitious binder hydrated at 27 degrees C and 50 degrees C under high humidity was examined by alternate wetting and drying, as well as heating and cooling, cycles at temperatures ranging from 27 degrees C to 60 degrees C and by performance in water. The results show that cementitious binder hardened at 50 degrees C possesses higher water resistance and lower porosity than the binder hardened at 27 degrees C. A decrease in the strength of the cementitious binder was observed with an increase in temperature and in the wetting and drying and heating and cooling cycles. The maximum decrease in strength occurred at 60 degrees C. The cementitious binder cured at 27 degrees C showed a much smaller decrease in strength with a rise in temperature and in weathering cycles. The changes in strength of the cementitious binder were monitored by differential thermal analysis and microscopy.