The effect of surfactants and mixing method on the hydration and strength of cement

The aim of the research was to study the effect of cement paste mixing method, particularly, using ultrasonication, different surfactants as well as the combination of both approaches on the processes of cement hydration and the strength of the resulting material. Sodium lauryl sulfate was used as an anionic surfactant, and OP-10 was used as a nonionic surfactant. The results of X-ray analysis, optical microscopy data as well as strength tests of cement samples at the early stages of hydration show that the ultrasonic mixing of the cement paste, as well as the addition of two types of surfactants (both with manual and ultrasonic mixing) accelerate the processes of cement hydration. After 28 days of hydration, the most durable samples were obtained after ultrasonic treatment of cement stone without emulsifier additives or by manual mixing, but without the addition of anionic surfactant OP-10