This time, members of the MSAGroup team analyzed the effect of mesoporous silica with an MCM-41 type structure on the thermal resistance of cement pastes. A key aspect of the research was tracking the transformation process of air pore structures under thermal load and modeling these changes. The results indicate that the use of this innovative material significantly enhances the microstructural stability of the cement matrix under high temperatures (up to 700 °C), reducing cracking and improving durability.
The addition of just 0.75% by weight of cement of MCM-41 improved compressive strength by as much as 26.9%. We are not aware of any other additive that achieves such impressive results with such a small dosage.
Moreover, the MSAGroup team produces MCM-41 independently, using waste materials derived from the conversion of fly ash into synthetic zeolites. This approach aligns with the principles of a circular economy while also contributing to environmental sustainability.
The research findings have been published in the prestigious journal Cement and Concrete Composites (IF = 10.8).
