Effects of water and carbon dioxide pressure on the adhesion of Na2SiO3 and K2SiO3 binders on silica sand surface: Comparison of experimental data and molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract In this study, the effects of different water amounts, CO2 blowing pressures, Na2O:SiO2 and K2O:SiO2 ratios were studied on the bonding strength of Na2SiO3 and K2SiO3 binders. It was concluded that the increase in water content had an adverse effect on the bonding strength of CO2-hardened Na2SiO3 sand. The blowing pressure did not have a linear relationship with the bonding strength, but it was closely related to the diffusion coefficient of CO2. Based on scanning electron microscopic results, it was inferred that the low strength was caused by the formation of lamellar crystals after the adhesive was hardened. It was found that the low strength was caused by the formation of lamellar crystals after the adhesive was hardened. Based on molecular dynamics simulations, different pressures and water contents had a great influence on the diffusion coefficient of CO2 in the silicate binder system. This research provides an important theoretical background to improve the technology of CO2-hardened Na2SiO3- and K2SiO3-bonded sands during the casting process.