Properties of Cement Mortars Mixed with SiO2 and CaCO3 Nanoparticles

Water requirement of normal consistency, setting time and soundness of cement pastes mixed with SiO2 and CaCO3 nanoparticle and the flexural strength and compressive strength of cement mortars mixed with SiO2 and CaCO3 nanoparticles were experimentally studied. Results indicated that the added nano-SiO2 and nano-CaCO3 with a mass account of 4.0 wt. % decreased the setting time and increased the water requirement of normal consistency, flexural strength and compressive strength. And these nanoscaled mineral admixtures did not have a negative impact on cement soundness. The optimal replacement levels of cement by SiO2 and CaCO3 nanoparticles for producing cement mortar with improved strength were 2.0 and 4.0 wt.% respectively.