Mechanical and durability properties of magnesium silicate hydrate binder concrete

Mechanical and durability properties of concrete made with magnesium–silicate–hydrate (M–S–H) binder systems were tested in comparison with Portland cement. The M–S–H binary binder system included 60% magnesium oxide (MgO) and 40% silicon oxide (SiO₂), while the ternary system replaced 10% of the M–S–H binder with 10% crushed quartz filler. It was found that the compressive strength of M–S–H concrete samples at 28 d was approximately 40 MPa with little further increase after this age. The M–S–H concrete had lower tensile strengths and modulus of elasticity than Portland cement control samples. The stress–strain relationship of the M–S–H concrete showed an unusual non-linear relationship at a loading range up to 40% of the compressive strength. The porosity and permeability of concrete using M–S–H binders were higher than Portland cement. The addition of crushed quartz filler was shown to improve microstructure and mechanical and durability properties of M–S–H binder concrete for potential structural applications.