The Development of Nanoalumina-Based Cement Mortars for Overlay Applications in Concrete Floors

This article focuses on the development of nanoalumina-based cement mortars for overlay applications in concrete floors. It focuses on the effect of applying aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanopowder to the cement mortar used to make the overlay, on the adhesion of this overlay to concrete substrate and on its functional properties. It was claimed that the addition of 0.5% of Al₂O₃ nanopowder has a positive effect on the adhesion of the cement mortar used to make the overlay to the substrate made of concrete. The prior studies performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the reason for the improvement in adhesion is the fact that cement mortar used to make the overlay with the addition of 0.5% of Al₂O₃ nanopowder is less porous than the reference mortar within the interphase. The article concurs that the most favorable results, in terms of lower abrasion resistance and higher subsurface tensile strength of the cement mortar used to make the overlay, are mainly brought about by adding 0.5% of Al₂O₃ nanopowder.