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This paper aims to assess the effects of chemically accelerated leaching on the physical and mechanical properties of aerial lime–cement mortars (LCMs).

Two aerial LCMs, differencing mainly in their calcium hydroxide content, were degraded by the use of an ammonium nitrate solution as a leaching agent. The leaching effects were studied by evaluating the rate of change in physical (sorptivity and mass loss) and mechanical (flexural and compressive strength) characteristics of aerial LCMs. To quantify the evolution and kinetics of degradation, the leached depth was then characterized at different levels of degradation by means of a phenolphthalein solution.

The experimental results showed that the dissolution of binder decreases the mass, alkalinity and strength of aerial LCMs but increases their sorptivity. A linear relationship was derived by plotting the values of leached depth against the square root of immersion time in an aggressive solution. It was found that the leached depth followed diffusion-controlled kinetics.

It was found that the global loss of compressive strength of aerial LCMs because of complete dissolution of calcium hydroxide can reach up to 80 per cent.

The purpose of this research is to highlight issues relating to binder migration in traditional lime mortars and the potential consequences of this phenomenon. The paper focuses on traditional mass masonry construction and will be of special interest to those surveying, maintaining and repairing historic ruinous structures and heavily exposed masonry bridges.

The paper draws on literature pertaining to the repair of traditional mass masonry structures and the somewhat limited science of binder dissolution and migration in saturated conditions. The paper also draws on the author's practical and academic knowledge of writing specifications for the repair of mass masonry structures and utilises examples of binder migration from several case study buildings.

The degree to which binder migration in traditional mortars occurs is little understood. It is, however, evident that migration of the binder occurs when saturated conditions are present and is exacerbated by prolonged moisture ingress. The effect of binder migration on the stability and performance of mass masonry structures is also little understood and requires greater attention. In addition, the nature of the repair mortars specified and the degree to which these materials have set will have a bearing on the potential for binder migration.

An assessment of binder migration in traditional lime mortars and its effect on the stability and performance of mass masonry structures has never previously been undertaken. This paper is the first to highlight the problem.

The corrosion of concrete, and the factors causing or preventing it, present at least as complex a problem as metallic corrosion, and the two are frequently inter‐related. A vast tonnage of steel in all kinds of structures is protected by concrete from corrosion In the following article, the author outlines the various types of cement used in concrete, following this with a description of the chemical agents which can corrode concrete, such as organic acids, sulphates, etc. He then examines concrete as a means of preventing corrosion and also as a corrosive agent.

The purpose of this paper, an R&D project, is to select Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)-unclassified white solid lubricants for formulating special lubricating oils, greases and pastes to prevent tribological systems against fretting wear.

The scientific methodology reads as follows: market research to select appropriate additives according to the purpose of the R&D project; screening tests to determine the technical performance of the additives; advanced technical studies and tests to validate the technical performance of the lubricating additives; determination of the reaction layers; and clarification of the build-up mechanism of the reaction layers (practical tests).

The findings of the R&D project can be summarized as follows: the selected white solid lubricants perform in lubricating oils, greases and pastes highly effective against fretting wear. The performance could be shown on the basis of representative test results and highlights its advantages compared to the state of the art.

The research team faced some challenges during the R&D project – the unsuitability of standard test measurements as well as DIN, ISO and ASTM test parameters led to limitations and increased effort.

The motivation and main target to conduct the R&D project was to increase the consumer and operator safety by using unclassified (GHS) high performance lubricants. The findings of the project show clearly that the tasks could be fulfilled. Special, unclassified (GHS) selected white solid lubricants are able to form a reaction layer on metal surfaces and separate effectively the surfaces within the tribological system. No fretting wear accrued. The consumer can gain substantial benefits on the economical side as well as on the ecological side.

This study aims to discuss the modification and/or improvement of intumescent coating system by incorporating waterborne resin with an appropriate combination of flame-retardant additives and four different fillers, namely, TiO₂, Al(OH)₃, Mg(OH)₂ and CaCO₃.

Coating mixtures are characterized using the Bunsen burner, thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index, scanning electron microscope, static immersion bath, Fourier transform infrared and adhesion tester.

Results show that the combination of coating with CaCO₃ filler significantly improved fire protection performance because of its thick char layer and the equilibrium temperature being 264°C. Char layer showed a uniform dense foam structure on micrograph and this formulation had adhesion strength of 2.13 MPa, which indicates effectiveness of the interface adhesion on substrate. Conversely, the combination of coating with Al(OH)₃ exhibited highest oxygen index of 35 per cent, which resulted in excellent flammability resistance.

This paper discusses only the effect of mineral fillers on properties of intumescent coatings.

In the modern design of building infrastructure, fire safety is significant for the protection of human life and assets. The application of intumescent coating in buildings is currently practiced because of its effect on material flammability during a fire.

The analysis method to evaluate the performance of water-borne resin with different fillers is formulated, and it could be applied in all kinds of coatings and mixtures to be used as an effective fire protection system for steel constructions.

There is an increasing demand for eco‐friendly inhibitors for use in cooling water systems. Both calcium gluconates and molybdate are eco‐friendly, non‐toxic chemicals. The corrosion inhibition of calcium gluconate and sodium molybdate on carbon steel in neutral aqueous media was evaluated by means of weight loss, electrochemical polarisation and impedance techniques. A synergistic effect was observed when these two eco‐friendly non‐toxic inhibitors were used in protecting carbon steel. A non‐linear relationship existed between the concentrations of the two inhibitors showing a synergistic effect.

A comparison of the difference in chemical nature of re‐dispersible polymer powders useful for the modification of cement based compositions is made. Core‐shell acrylic lattices synthesised by multi‐step sequential polymerisation are formulated and spray‐dried to obtain re‐dispersible powders. The heterogeneous acrylic copolymers prepared are characterised by excellent re‐dispersibility, high chemical stability and good application properties.

The statement of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, coming so quickly after the ban on the use of cyclamates in food and drink in the United States, indicates that the new evidence of carcinogenesis in animals, placed at the disposal of the authorities by the U.S. F.D.A., has been accepted; at least, until the results of investigations being carried out in this country are available. The evidence was as new to the U.S. authorities as to our own and in the light of it, they could no longer regard the substances as in the GRAS class of food additives. It is, of course, right that any substance of which there is the slightest doubt should be removed from use; not as the result of food neuroses and health scares, but only on the basis of scientific evidence, however remote the connection. It is also right that there should always be power of selection by consumers avoidance is usually possible with other things known to be harmful, such as smoking and alcohol; in other cases, especially with chemical additives to food and drink, there must be pre‐knowledge, so that those who do not wish to consume food or drink containing such additives can ascertain from labelling those commodities which contain them.

The cementitious/chemical properties of the untreated CFA are dependent on the coal composition and previous burning conditions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether untreated CFA can efficiently reduce cement replacement and does not require further combustion treatment to be a viable cement replacement.

Two types of mixes: Type I concrete and PCFA (Type I and 30 per cent untreated CFA) concrete were batched and subjected to compressive strength tests and cyclic exposures of 5 per cent sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) and 5 per cent magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄), respectively.

PCFA mix was 41.1 and 35.21 per cent lower in strength compared to Type I at 28 and 56 days correspondingly. Continuous-sulphate-exposure resulted in slow but continued strength development for both mixes. However, the strengths of PCFA cubes exposed to cyclic sulphate and sulphate/magnesium salts continued to increase at a lower rate from their corresponding 28-day strength (rate of 18.7 per cent and strength 27.30 MPa in Na₂SO₄ and rate of 10.0 per cent and strength 25.30 MPa in MgSO₄) while Type I specimens subjected to the same exposure conditions experienced drastic reductions in strength (rate of −15.0 per cent and strength 33.21 MPa in Na₂SO₄ and rate of −23.4 per cent and strength 29.94 MPa in MgSO₄).

Results justify the need for additional tests essentially: at different percentage replacement of untreated CFA, fineness of materials, chloride environment and longer exposures, to address the cementitious properties of untreated CFA as cement replacement.

Treatment methods for fly ashes require undoubtedly additional resources, energy input and cost. This paper paves the way to define whether untreated CFA can be used as cement replacement in concrete.

When concrete is manufactured, it can be instantaneously contaminated by chloride (Cl⁻) ions or later by their intrusion from the environment. This work aims to study the electrochemical behavior of the passive layer formed on the reinforcing steel surface in the presence of the same Cl⁻ ion concentration, with and without passivation time. This will, undoubtedly, affect the corrosion threshold values thereafter.

Electrochemical polarizations were carried out in two concrete pore solutions. The surfaces of samples immersed for 255 days in saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution were examined with optical and scanning electron microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy.

Cl⁻ ion origins in reinforced concrete lead to different values of corrosion thresholds. The passive layer behaves like a physicochemical barrier, and corrosion occurs at higher NaCl concentration thresholds. The formed passive film on the steel surface shows differences in the chemical composition and the morphology. The results show a rich presence of hematite. Maghemite, lepidocrocite, akaganeite and goethite are also present in much lower concentrations. The Cl⁻ ion presence in fresh concrete at the beginning of the manufacture harms the good formation and the good stability of these oxides, leading to corrosion initiation.

This study contributes to a better understanding of the passive layer role, not only in reducing the corrosion rate value but also in reconsidering new Cl⁻ ion corrosion threshold values.