An evaluation of the sulfate resistance of cements in a controlled environment

Abstract It was initially established that the maintenance of the pH of a sulfate solution, in which mortar specimens were immersed, at a constant and predetermined value through controlled sulfuric acid additions ensured that the sulfate ion concentration in solution remained invariant with time. The rates of sulfate attack of mortar specimens exposed under typical immersion and environmentally controlled conditions were then compared. It was observed that environmental control significantly increased the rate of sulfate attack as measured either by strength loss or linear expansion. However, the strength changes and the expansions observed occurred in a manner consistent with the severity of the test conditions imposed.