Evaluation of the wettability of mortar component granular materials through contact angle measurements

The wettability of granular materials has a direct effect on the workability of pastes, mortars and concretes containing such materials. Given this, the wetting behaviour of two Portland cements, two mineral admixtures (limestone filler and silica fume) and different sand types (siliceous, limestone and granite) was evaluated through the measurement of the contact angle between these materials and water. The results show that all the materials possess high wettability. A chemical agent, dichlorodimethylsilane, was used to modify the surface properties of a 0–1 mm siliceous sand, making it more hydrophobic and, therefore, unable to be spontaneously wetted by water. The properties of a mortar produced with the silane-treated sand were evaluated, showing improvements on workability as a result of the chemical treatment.