ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the chemical aspects of the reaction of cement containing silica fume. The influence of silica fume on the pH of the solution in the system cement-silica fume-water-chloride has been studied to assess the corrosion potential. Physical and chemical changes occur as soon as cement comes into contact with water. Addition of silica fume to cement increases the yield value and plastic viscosity. In view of this, in cement-silica fume systems, a plasticizer has to be added for deflocculating the paste. The effect of silica fume on the kinetics of hydration of cement is not easy to follow because not only does silica influence the rate of hydration, it is also consumed by the reaction products. The variation in results reported in the literature may also be attributed to the differences in the reactivity of the materials, techniques, and preparation methods.
