Title: Development of Sulfer-Infiltrated High-Strength Concrete

Author(s): V. M. Malhotra

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 72

Issue: 9

Appears on pages(s): 466-473

Keywords: aggregates;compressive strength;concretes;curing;durablity;freeze-thaw durablity;high-strength concretes;mix proportioning;modulus of elasticity; polymer-portland-cement concretes;research;slitting tensile strength;sulfur;tension tests.

DOI: 10.14359/11150

Date: 9/1/1975

Abstract:
Sulfur-infiltrated, high-strength concrete has been developed at early ages from 2 day old conventional concrete containing low cement content. Two infiltration procedures have been employed. Procedure A Consists of moist curing fresh concrete specimens for 24 hr, immersing them in a bath of molten sulfur for 3 hr, removing them from the sulfur to cool, and then testing 1 to 2 hr later. Procedure B consists of curing moist concrete specimens for 24 hr, drying them at 250 F (121 C) for 24 hr, immersing them in molten sulfur under vacuum for 2 hr, releasing the vacuum and soaking them for an additional 1/2 hr, then removing them from sulfur to cool. Testing is done 1 to 2 hr later. Satisfactory high-strength concretes have been produced using the above procedures, with superior results being obtained using Procedure B. The sulfur-infiltrated concretes exhibit phoenominal increases in mechanical and elastic properties and durablity charateristics. A typical value of the compressive strength of the infiltrated specimens using Procedure B was 8060 psi (5.6 MN/m^2) for reference moist cured specimens. The sulfur-infiltrated specimens were in excellent condition after more than 800 cycles of frezing and thawing, whereas the moist cured specimens had completely disintegrated after 40 cycles. This new type of concrete appears to be eminantly suited for precast concrete units, such as pipes, poles, farm silo, and railway ties, and is a practical substitute for expensive polymer-impregnated concrete.