Properties of mortars with Calcium Sulfoaluminate cements with the addition of Portland cement and limestone

Calcium Sulfoaluminate cements (CSA) may be an alternative to Portland cements due to their very high early strength and more environmentally friendly production technology, however they are characterized by a short setting time and high cost. A possible solution to these problems is to mix CSA cement with other binders or additives. In order to test this possibility, CSA cement was mixed with Portland cement and limestone in the amount of 10, 20 and 30 wt. %. A hydration heat test was carried out in the first 72 hours after the components were mixed, measured were compressive and flexural strength after 1, 2, 7 and 28 days, and rheological properties, including early shrinkage. A negative interaction between CSA and CEM I 42.5R was observed, leading to deterioration of mechanical properties of the mortars. The study did not indicate a similar negative interaction between CSA cement and limestone.