Effects of Reactive Magnesia on Microstructure and Frost Durability of Portland Cement–Based Binders

The effects of portland cement (PC) replacement with magnesia (reactive magnesium-oxide) on properties of PC-based pastes, mortars, and concretes were investigated. The research included determination of mechanical properties and frost durability in addition to studies of the microstructure and microchemistry. The mortar and paste mixtures contained from 10–80 weight percent (wt%) replacement of PC by magnesia and had water to cementitious-binder ratios from 0.4–0.7, whereas concretes contained from 5–10 wt% magnesia and had a water to cementitious-binder ratio of 0.53. Replacement of PC by magnesia had adverse effects on the mechanical properties and frost durability. The magnesia reduced microcracking of the binder matrix in comparison with pastes containing only PC. The primary hydration product of magnesia was brucite in addition to regular hydration phases of PC. The amount of formed portlandite was increased. Magnesia caused densification of the microstructure but also increased the capillary porosity, resulting in lower frost-durability.