Comparative study of the characteristics of nano silica - , silica fume - and fly ash - incorporated cement mortars

The structural characteristics of cement mortars, impregnated with nano silica (NS), silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA), were comparatively studied using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), thermogravimeter-differential thermogravimeter (TG-DTG) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mechanical strengths of the specimens were determined at early (7th day) and standard (28th day) curing ages. The compressive strengths and flexural strengths developed in the mortar specimens containing NS particles were found considerably higher than those of the corresponding specimens of SF and...