Evaluation of the microstructure and micromechanics properties of structural mortars with addition of iron ore tailings

The Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) between the cement paste and aggregates is a region of great interest for concretes because it is the composites' weakest region. ITZ presents a great amount of large calcium hydroxide and ettringite crystals, with the porosity being able to be up to 2.5 greater than that the rest of the paste. The microstructure, and consequently the ITZ, can be improved by mineral addition. These materials fill the pores in the composite, influence the hydration process and densify the matrix. Therefore, mineral additions, such as iron ore tailings (IOT), can modify microstructure of composites. There are few studies on the assessment of IOT heterogeneity on the microstructure and hardness of structural mortar. Thus, the present study analyzes the properties influences of four IOT types on the microstructure, porosity, and thickness of the structural mortars' Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) with IOT addition, by different evaluation methods. The composites were characterized through the Scanning Electron Microscope by backscattered electrons (SEM-BSE), line scan by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and nanoindentation. Results presented that IOT improved particle packing and tended to reduce the ITZ. The IOT improved nucleation since it reduces the amount of anhydrous cement particles and increases the amount of calcium hydroxide particles in the cement matrix. The nanoindentation showed that IOT-added matrix presented greater hardness and indentation module. It can be concluded that the IOT heterogeneity may affect microstructural properties and that the methods presented can be good ways to evaluate the parameters.