Influence of Water Glass Introduction Methods on Selected Properties of Portland Cement

This article presents a study of the effect of water glass and its introduction on the hydration of Portland cement and its properties in plastic and solid states. The introduction of sodium water glass into the mixing water extends the setting time of Portland cement by 35%, while introduction into the cement paste reduces it by 24.4%; for potassium water glass, the respective values are 10.8% and 10.8%. The introduction of sodium water glass into the mixing water decreases its consistency by 17.6%; its introduction into the cement paste reduces its consistency by 97%. Based on microcalorimetric studies and using the modelling method, mechanisms of the processes occurring in the cement paste, for various methods of introducing water glass admixtures, and their influence on the properties of cement are proposed. The important implications of the obtained results are that, using various methods for introducing admixtures of water glass, it is possible to regulate the setting of cement slurries within significant limits that are important during their transportation.