Microstructure of biopolymer-modified aerial lime mortars

Abstract

Cellulose-based viscosity-modifying admixtures are used on daily basis in a wide range of building materials, dominantly in pre-mixed mortar systems. Lately, alternative admixtures such as different “gums” have emerged. In building materials, the gums have similar viscosity-enhancingeffects as cellulose ethers with different efficiency. Various ways of production, as well as diverse working mechanisms of the biopolymers are to be considered while choosing the most suitable admixture for the intended use. Influence of alternative admixtures in several doses on the microstructure of lime mortars was studied in this paper. Mortars were prepared with the same workability and the air content in fresh mortar was determined, for it can have notable impact on microstructure of hardened mortar. Hydroxypropyl derivative of chitosan showed air entraining ability, while the carboxymethyl derivative reported slight decrease in amount of air entrained into the mixture. In the case of diutan gum, the most water-demanding admixture, the percentage of entrained air dropped with growing dose. Admixture addition increased the volume of pores in diameter lower than 0.1 m, and in region of pores around 10 m. Only the diutan gum affected the distribution of capillary pores, which are typical for lime mortars. Hygric properties were in correlation with air content values.Cellulose-based viscosity-modifying admixtures are used on daily basis in a wide range of building materials, dominantly in pre-mixed mortar systems. Lately, alternative admixtures such as different “gums” have emerged. In building materials, the gums have similar viscosity-enhancingeffects as cellulose ethers with different efficiency. Various ways of production, as well as diverse working mechanisms of the biopolymers are to be considered while choosing the most suitable admixture for the intended use. Influence of alternative admixtures in several doses on the microstructure of lime mortars was studied in this paper. Mortars were prepared with the same workability and the air content in fresh mortar was determined, for it can have notable impact on microstructure of hardened mortar. Hydroxypropyl derivative of chitosan showed air entraining ability, while the carboxymethyl derivative reported slight decrease in amount of air entrained into the mixture. In the case of diutan gum, the most water-demanding admixture, the percentage of entrained air dropped with growing dose. Admixture addition increased the volume of pores in diameter lower than 0.1 m, and in region of pores around 10 m. Only the diutan gum affected the distribution of capillary pores, which are typical for lime mortars. Hygric properties were in correlation with air content values.