Influence of neutral salts (NaCl and KCl) in water on properties of natural admixture cements

The study is aimed at investigating the effect of neutral salts as mixing water on setting times and compressive strength of admixture cements. In the research PPC plus 10% silica fume was added by weight and cubes were casted with deionised water and deionised water containing neutral salts NaCl and KCl. The result shows the NaCl in deionised water accelerates the initial as well as final setting processes whereas the other salt KCl retard them at all concentrations. NaCl and KCl in deionised water increase the compressive strength of mortar cubes significantly in the early days, i.e., at 3 day, 7 day, 21 day, 28 day,60 day and 90 day age, and decreased in compressive strength in longer periods to higher concentrations except KCl. In the present work analysis the hydration characteristics of the admixture cements using the techniques of X-ray diffraction analysis and useful conclusions are obtained regarding the influence of neutral salts.