Microstructural study of sulfate attack on ordinary and limestone Portland cements at ambient temperature

This paper presents an investigation on the mechanism of sulfate attack on Portland cements (PCs) containing limestone filler. It is based on the analysis of microstructure and composition of mortar specimens (ASTM C 1012) stored for 2 years in sodium sulfate solution (0.352 M). Microstructure was studied using quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) on samples taken from the surface to the core of the specimens. The profile of compounds formed by sulfate attack was determined millimeter by millimeter at 1 and 2 years. Results show that sulfate attack in mortars containing limestone filler is characterized by an inward movement of the reaction front leading first to the formation of ettringite, later to gypsum deposition, and finally to thaumasite formation when the decalcification of mortar leads to the breakdown of C-S-H.