Microstructural investigation of the carbonation and mechanical properties of MgO Cement

• Main Author: Raveendran, Aswini
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/68049
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The strength of an MgO concrete specimen can be attributed to the presence of a dense network of hydrated magnesium carbonates (HMC). This study aims to investigate the thermal stability of the magnesium carbonates under the context of an MgO concrete specimen. Furthermore, the study aims to examine how the transformation of HMCs into different phases impacts the mechanical performance and microstructure of the system. The unconfined compressive strength is used as an indicator of thermal stability. It is to be noted that even at 550˚Ϲ, the MgO concrete specimen recorded a strength of 6kN while maintaining its structural integrity. The SEM-EDX analysis will serve as evidence of presence of HMCs. The XRD and TGA analyses will quantify the HMCs.