Preliminary evaluations of the effect of the laser radiation on the cement paste

Abstract

As a result of chemical reactions between tricalcium and dicalcium silicate components with water during the Portland cement hydration process, generates hydration products that fill gradually the spaces between particles to make a continuous matrix. Compound material results relatively waterproof because hydration products have limited water solubility, and this constituted the base of its durability.

The incidence of a beam able of elevating the temperature between the 1200 to 1500 °C generates a vitrification on the surface of cementitious materials. According to consulted authors, it allows reaching improvements in the hygroscopicity of these materials.

This work presents the results of the preliminary evaluation of the effect of the radiation of a CO₂ laser on samples of cement paste.