Properties of Portland Cement Mortar with Substitutions of Natural and Expanded Perlite

Abstract

The present research deals with the feasibility of using high-temperature pozzolans such as Natural Perlite (NP) and Expanded Perlite (EP), different dosagues of additions were made to mortars in order to perform their mechanical properties. Mortars were subjected to destructive tests in hardened state: compression, tension, flexion and adhesion strength; as well as non-destructive tests in hardened state: ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), electrical resistivity (ER), density (ρ) and total porosity (PT); in addition to attack by sodium sulfate at 90 days. The percentages of the substitutions were 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% by weight of Portland cement mass (PC) relative to a control mortar (cement-sand-water). With the partial replacement of the cement and according to the tests carried out, it can be observed that the problem of durability and CO2 emissions is significantly reduced and, consequently, an energy saving and a lower environmental impact are promoted.