Self-healing action of permeable crystalline coating on pores and cracks in cement-based materials

The self-healing action of a permeable crystalline coating on the porous mortar was investigated by two times impermeability test. Moreover, the self-healing mechanism of cement-based materials with the permeable crystalline coating was studied by SEM. The results indicate that the permeable crystalline coating not only seals the pores and cracks in mortar during its curing process, but also heals the permeable pathway caused by first impermeability test or cracks produced by freeze-thaw cycles. Therefore, cement-based materials can be improved by the permeable crystalline coating for the self-healing function. SEM images prove that the self-healing function is realized by generating a great quantity of non-soluble dendritic crystalline within the pores and cracks, which prevents the penetration of water and other liquids.