X-ray diffraction and microstructure studies of gum Arabic-cement concrete

• Published in: Construction & building materials Vol. 156; pp. 632 - 638
• Main Authors: Elinwa, Augustine U, Umar, Mohammed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.12.2017; Elsevier B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Compressive strength; Concrete; Diffraction; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Porosity; Structure; Water absorption; X-ray diffraction; X-rays; Nigeria; X-ray diffraction; Compressive strength; Water absorption; Porosity; Microstructure
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.08.162

•The dominant elements in gum Arabic (GA) are K, Na, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn and Fe ions at various concentrations.•The variations in the chemical composition GA are functions of their molecular structure, physical characteristics and functional properties.•The density of gum Arabic concrete (GAC) is that of a normal concrete and, is attributed to the presence of Palgorskite and Mordenite minerals which act as filler materials.•GA addition increased water absorption and porosity of GAC because of high porosity and surface areas of Palgorskite and Mordenite minerals.•Addition of GA improved the mechanical strength of GAC because of the presence of such minerals as Sepiolite, Tobermorite, Wollastonite and other trace elements.•The highest strength was recorded at 0.50% dosage.•The X-ray and microstructure analyses confirmed the transformation of the K, Na, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, and Fe ions into mineral compounds. The effects of the addition of gum Arabic powder (GA) to concrete have been evaluated using X-ray diffraction and microstructure methods analysis. Gum Arabic (GA) powder was added to concrete in proportions of 0.00%–1.00% by wt. of cement and cured for 28days in water under laboratory conditions. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the K, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Fe ions, identified in the chemical composition of GA were transformed into compounds of monoclinic, orthorhombic, triclinic, tetragonal and hexagonal minerals through hydration processes. The detection of minerals like Osumulite, Tobermolite, Mordenite and Wollastonite, in the X-ray diffraction samples can be said to impact on strength development of GAC. This assertion is strengthened further by such minerals like quartz, mica, and feldspar detected in the microstructure of GAC samples. The high water absorption and porosity of the GAC samples are as a result of the presence of minerals like Palgorskite and Mordenite. These are filler materials.