EXAMPLES OF SILICA FUME USAGE IN CYPRUS

Silica fume (SF) has recently attracted much attention because of its incorporation into the high-strength concrete mixtures for high-rise buildings. Silica fume, a by-product of silicon-metal production in the form of glassy microspheres, contains over 90 percent SiO2. Besides enhancing its strength, silica fume improves other concrete properties by reducing the alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) of the concrete, providing better reinforcement protection against chloride-induced corrosion, and improving the concrete's resistance to sulfate attack. The latter two improvements to the concrete properties have made silica fume usage in Cyprus advantageous despite its higher cost and the fact that it had to be imported.