Properties of cement-based composites with carbon mineral admixture

In the construction industry, aggregates, in the form of fine powder up to gravel, play a significant role as a stabilizing and filling materials for many applications. With increasing demands on quarrying of this valuable commodity, its natural resources have become to be depleted. This work outlines the potential application of waste carbon-based mineral admixture as a partial replacement of natural silica aggregate in the production of cement-based composites. In addition, the influence of used waste material on hydration products formation in cement pastes was investigated. On hardened concretes stored 28 days under water, material properties were characterized by measuring flexural and compressive strengths. Cement pastes were subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy observations. Obtained results revealed specific behaviour of an incorporated material allowing its addition in a limited amount. Increased content of ettringite was detected in composites with the highest amount of added carbon-based mineral.