A Study on Using Possibility of Talc Powder as Concrete Admixture

Admixture materials are used in mixing concrete or mortar to improve quality and performance of the concrete. This study examines the potential use of talc as a substitute for cement, the benefits of recycling waste resources for economical efficiency and quality improvement of concrete. The test was carried out by replacing the plain mix with fine grains of talc at the rate of 10%, 20%, and 30%. Talc was divided into three groups depending on the degree of pulverizing. For wet concrete, porosity, slump, bleeding per unit, and setting time by penetration resistance were measured; similarly, for dry concrete, strength and watertight Property were tested. Test results showed that the amount of bleeding and setting time could be shortened, but the strength and watertight proofing severely deteriorated. However, at the replacement rate of 10%, talc showed equal performance with the plain at all degrees of pulverization, which suggests its potential use as admixture material.