Effect of Nano-Magnesium Oxide on the Expansion Performance and Hydration Process of Cement-Based Materials

Many scholars are concerned about the effect of nano-MgO as an expansion agent on the performance of cement-based materials at an early age, but over a long period less attention is paid to expansion stability and mechanical properties. This article examines the influence of nano-MgO on the long-term consistency, fluidity, expansion stability, hydration, and mechanical properties of 30% fly ash cement-based materials and improves research into nano-MgO as an expansion agent. Expansion performance, flexural and compressive strength, and stability after boiling and autoclave treatment were tested for specimens mixed with a 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% cementitious material mass of nano-MgO. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) were employed to study their hydration process and microstructure. The results showed that nano-MgO had an obvious effect on the consistency, fluidity and expansion performance of cement paste. After curing in water for 365 days and autoclaving thereafter, the hydration of nano-MgO was relatively complete. The volumetric expansion pressure of the magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) crystals and the crystallization pressure generated after their continuous precipitation were the main reasons for the expansion of the slurry. Nano-MgO improved the microstructure of cement paste and significantly enhanced its long-term flexural strength and compressive strength. When the content of nano-MgO was less than 10%, the cement with 30% fly ash had good long-term stability with the potential to compensate for the shrinkage of large-volume concrete.