Masonry mortar with nanoparticles at a low temperature Available to Purchase

This study explores a possible approach for alleviating the effects of low temperatures on masonry construction through the addition of nano-alumina (NA) and nano-silica (NS) in masonry mortar mixtures (used for joints) mixed and cured at 5 ± 1°C. Fresh (flow, air content, setting time) and hydration, hardened (compressive strength) and microstructural characteristics of the mortar mixtures were determined at different ages to capture the behaviour of masonry mortar at the low temperature. The type (NA or NS) and dosage (2, 4 and 6% by mass of masonry cement) of the nanoparticles had very pronounced effects on the trends of the various tests. The overall trends suggest that either 6% NA or 6% NS can alleviate the effects of low temperature on masonry mortar mixtures in terms of accelerating the kinetics of hydration and rate of hardening, and inducing (especially NS) progressive microstructural and strength development with time.