Surface coating treatment and densification of mortar by electrodeposition method

A novel electrodeposition method for both surface coating treatment and densification of mortar is presented. Mortar specimens of dimensions 2 cm × 4 cm × 16 cm were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the method: the produced coating layer thickness and flexural strength, compressive strength and resistivity of the electrochemically treated mortar specimens were measured. The results indicate that the coating layers were 0·2–1·1 mm thick, and thickness strongly depended on technological parameters such as applied voltage, sodium silicate concentration, conduction time and temperature. With suitable technological parameters, the electrodeposition method was found to produce moderate increases in flexural and compressive strengths. Resistivity was significantly increased, indicating great potential for upgrading durability. The microstructures of the electrochemically treated mortar specimens were observed using a mercury intrusion porosimeter and a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer.