Methodological approaches to optimization of grain composition of heat-resistant concrete

Abstract

Heat-resistant concrete of fine-grained structure attracts special attention of refractory applications manufacturers. The task of optimizing the grain size composition of heat-resistant concrete fillers on the basis of by-products and related products of silicon carbide (SiC) production and waste products of abrasive tools production on a ceramic bond of fine-grained structure is of research and practical interest. It is proposed to use grain size compositions of gapped grading for a fine-grained cement system of heat-resistant concrete. The analysis of methodological approaches in the calculation of the grain size composition of concrete fillers allowed us to determine the Fuller formula as an optimal one from a practical perspective. Due to the use of gapped grading of the grain component of the concrete composition, an optimal ratio between the size of the grains of quartz sand and the waste of abrasive production was achieved. Balanced distribution of the filler in concrete mix made it possible to obtain intimate contact between their grains, which resulted in dense, “well-packed” concrete structure, and will further enable 5-10% saving of the cement binder. The compressive strength of samples with gapped grading filler was 38.7 MPa, the thermal resistance (water, 800°C) amounted to 16 thermal cycles.

Effect of Silicon Carbide and Tungsten Carbide on Concrete Composite

“…Recently SiC was investigated for concrete production pertaining to particular applications [ 12 , 15 , 16 ]. SiC is a neutron attenuator and detector [ 17 ], and SiC is a radiation-tolerant ceramic.…”