Influence of Nano-Particles on Characteristics of MetakaolinContained Cement Paste

The influences of nano-ZrO2 (NZ), nano-TiO2 (NT), nano-Fe2O3 (NF) and nano-Al2O3 (NA) additions on properties of the fresh and hardened cement paste in comparison with the fine cement paste were experimentally studied. Mini slump and flow cone tests were conducted on fresh cement pastes. Moreover the compressive and tensile strength of hardened cement paste were measured. SEM micrographs and XRD powder patterns of hardened cement paste were analyzed in order to evaluate the effects of Nano additives on the microstructure of cement pastes. The results of this study showed that Nano-particles can improve the compressive strength of cement paste. While NA has the most influence on compressive and tensile strength of the cement paste, NZ has the least effect on the compressive and tensile strength of the hardened cement paste. It was also shown that Nano particles can increase the viscosity of fresh cement paste. The results of this study seem to indicate that the most effective Nano-particle content on mechanical properties of hardened cement paste is about 1.5% to 2% for various kinds of Nano-particles.