An experimental study on the sulfuric acid resistance of mineral additive mortars

Mineral additives are preferred to improve the physical, mechanical and durability properties of cement-based composites and to reduce the use of cement to prevent environmental pollution and high production costs. Within the scope of this study, a new pozzolanic material, ground profillite powder (GPP), was evaluated by comparing it with granular ground blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), and it was used as a substitute for cement at ratios of 5, 10 and 15% by weight. The effects of these two mineral additives on the mechanical and physical properties of mortars and their resistance to sulfuric acid (SA) were investigated. In the production of the mortar samples, CEM I 42.5/R-type Portland cement (ordinary Portland cement) was used as the binder, and 0–4 mm crushed sand was used as the aggregate. Mineral additive and non-additive mortars were produced in the laboratory environment in dimensions of 40 × 40 × 160 mm. Spreading values, bending and compressive strengths, water absorption and porosity values and weight and strength loss values under the effect of SA were examined comparatively. It was determined that the mortar samples produced using GPP showed higher resistance to SA attacks than the pure and GGBFS-added mortars, reducing weight losses up to 21% and compressive strength losses up to 30%.