Effect of lithium ions on the capability of colloidal silica to inhibit alkali expansion of cement compositions

A study was made of the capability of lithium-silica-containing solutions obtained by interaction between aqueous colloidal dispersion SiO2 and LiOH to inhibit alkali expansion of cement-sand solutions with reactive filler. It was established that the inhibiting effect of these solutions is due to lithium ions only and depends on the silicate module of the (SiO2/Li2O) solution. At that, the silica component does not take part in suppressing the expansion of the cement-sand solution since lithium ions have a passivating effect on SiO2 colloidal particles and high-polymer silica varieties.

Author: A.S. Brykov, A.V. Anisimova

Section: Science and production

Keywords: colloidal silica; lithium polysilicates; alkali-silica reactions; alkali corrosion of concretes