The Effect of Boron and its Compounds on Setting of Portland Cement

The aim of this work is to study the influence of boron and its compounds, boric acid and borax, on the hydration of Portland cement. The samples – cement paste modified by the addition of boron, borax and boric acid in different concentrations were prepared. The results are obtained from the evaluation of calorimetric curves, mechanical properties and phase composition. The goal is to describe the kinetics of targeted retarded process of hydration and to find such addition which would suspend the setting of boron modified system entirely. The comparison of effects of each boron-containing compound is based on its concentration and on its kind.