The water resistance of cement mortars prepared with reverse flotation tailings

Abstract

Silica mineral tailings from reverse flotation are a cause of great environmental concern. In this work, eco-friendly cement mortars were prepared using reverse flotation tailings (RFT). The experimental results showed that the addition of RFT had no influence on the compressive strength of cement mortars and, according to results of water absorption and contact angles, cement mortars with RFT were more hydrophobic than ordinary cement mortars. The water resistance of mortar can thus be greatly improved through the addition of RFT, and this is attributed to the hydrophobicity of the RFT surfaces. This hydrophobicity can slow down the movement of water molecules in the pores of mortars, resulting in less water content of cement mortars per unit area and per unit time. Better water resistance is beneficial for building materials in humid environments and the preparation of eco-friendly mortars with high water resistance can be achieved by using RFT.

The Effect of Reverse Flotation Method on Silica Sand as Waterproofing Mortar

“…Optimum results on ratio 1:1 caused by the same composition between cement and RFS so that gives maximum compressive strength value. This is corresponding to the highest compressive strength value at ratio aggregate/cement 3:5 and the lowest compressive strength at ratio 5:0 [18]. Mortar compressive strength increases with increasing levels of cement and decreases due to increased lime, sand, water [19].…”