Performance evaluation of self-leveling mortars using phosphogypsum and white ceramic waste

Abstract

This study investigates the properties of self-leveling subfloor mortar mixtures with natural and calcined phosphogypsum waste in the form of calcium sulfate called anhydrite and white ceramic, by replacing 50% of the mass of Portland cement CP II Z-32. The effects of using waste were evaluated in the fresh (initial fluidity, flow retention, regeneration time, setting time, and heat of hydration) and hardened (compressive and flexural tensile strength, density, water absorption, void ratio, linear shrinkage, and tensile adhesion strength) state. The optimized mixture at a 1:1.5 cement/sand ratio (by mass) with 50% white ceramic had a 32.66 ± 4.26 MPa compressive strength at 28 days, low shrinkage and heat of hydration, showing the best performance among the wastes studied. In the calcium sulfate mortars, the mixtures with anhydrite showed better results for compressive and flexural tensile strength and tensile adhesion strength, with the waste calcination being beneficial.