Resistance of chemically-activated high phosphorous slag content cement against freeze–thaw cycles

This paper presents an estimation of the resistance of chemically-activated high phosphorous slag content cement mortar against freeze–thaw cycles. Two hundred fifty cycles of freezing and thawing were executed in accordance with ASTM C666 procedure B to assess the frost resistance of the mortar prisms. Measurements of water absorption, open pore volume, and compressive strength were performed on both chemically-activated high phosphorous slag content cement and standard Portland cement mortar prisms to evaluate the extent of deterioration and to compare the durability performance of the two cements. Interfacial transition zone between paste and aggregate of the mortar prisms was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The obtained results, however, showed a relatively weaker durability performance for chemically-activated high phosphorous slag content cement mortar against freeze–thaw cycles in spite of its higher compressive strength.