The effect from introducing graphite foam on the strength of the cement-sand mortar

This article considers the main effects from introducing graphite foam additives. Graphite foam, the method of its introducing to the composition of mixtures and the dosage have been selected based on low costs but significant efficiency. With the use of graphite foam, high values of physical and mechanical characteristics, when replacing a significant part of Portland cement with waste from metallurgical production, have been achieved. The conducted comparison has revealed an increase in the strength characteristics of the cement stone based on Portland cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag and their mixture during storage under normal conditions and as a result of heat and moisture treatment with the introducing of graphite foam. The composition, containing 60% of granulated blast furnace slag by weight of the binder, provides the greatest effect when adding graphite foam. Based on the obtained results, graphite foam proves to be a competitive additive in comparison with other additives, which are popular in the market. In particular, due to the simple procedure of extracting and adding, the additive of graphite foam is not inferior in efficiency to graphene.