This paper describes the influence of hydrothermal curing conditions on final mechanical properties of refractory fibre-reinforced cement composite. The effect of age of specimens, when the hydrothermal curing process started, was investigated in the point of view of best achieved mechanical properties. The age of 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours after fist contact water with cement was tested. The curing conditions in autoclave device were set on 150°C and 0.45 MPa in 100% humidity environment. Hydrothermally cured specimens together with reference specimens cured in laboratory conditions were exposed to the action of elevated temperature on level 600°C and 1000°C for three hours. The dynamic modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, compressive strength and bulk density were measured to quantify the benefit of hydrothermal curing. Used refractory composite consisted of natural basalt aggregate, aluminous cement, fine ground ceramic powder, water with plasticizer and basalt fibres. All parameters were investigated on specimens with dimension 40 × 40 × 160 mm. The specimens activated in autoclave achieved higher residual properties compared with reference specimens cured in laboratory conditions. The cohesion between hydration products and fibre? surface increases due to the influence of hydrothermal conditions.
展开▼
