Skip to Main Content
Article navigation

The influence of triethanolamine (TEA) at varying dosages on the strength development of pure cement (PC) and fly ash cement (FAC) pastes was systematically investigated. Techniques including mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterise the microstructure of hardened cement pastes and to monitor the cement hydration process with the aim of correlating strength variations with microstructural changes caused by TEA addition. The results showed that 0·03–0·10% addition of TEA visibly enhances the early strength but decreases the compressive strength after 3 d for PC pastes. A high dosage of TEA (1%) leads to a sharp decrease in 28-d strength for both PC and FAC pastes. Mechanistic explanations regarding why TEA affects the strength development differently at different dosages and ages are discussed by considering the impacts of TEA on the hydration degree, pore structure, composition and morphology of hydration products.

You do not currently have access to this content.
Don't already have an account? Register

Purchased this content as a guest? Enter your email address to restore access.

Please enter valid email address.
Email address must be 94 characters or fewer.
Pay-Per-View Access
$41.00
Rental

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal