Characteristics and Engineering Performance of C-S-H/Aminobenzoic Acid Composite Systems

Calcium-silicate-hydrate/aminobenzoic acid (C-S-H/ABA) composite systems were synthetized and characterized for the first time. Each of 3- or 4-aminobenzoic acid with a concentration of 0.01 mol. per mol. of Ca was added to the C-S-H preparations during their hydration. The C-S-H/ABA systems were filtered and dried after three weeks. These were, then, characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption analysis. Porous bodies were also prepared from C-S-H/ABA compacted powders and used for the length-change and mass-change measurements in different test solutions. In addition, the microindentation technique was used to determine the creep modulus and hardness of the compacted samples. It is suggested that the C-S-H/ABA systems had improved durability and enhanced mechanical properties compared to the phase pure C-S-H reference materials. The influence of the 3- and 4-aminobenzoic acid on durability factors was similar. The C-S-H/3-ABA, however, had superior mechanical performance.