Stability of cenospheres in lightweight cement composites in terms of alkali–silica reaction

This paper presents an experimental study on characteristics and stability of cenospheres used in lightweight cement composites. ASTM C227 and C1260 tests were used to evaluate if cenospheres are potentially deleterious due to alkali–silica reaction (ASR). Natural sand was used as control. Examination by scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and analyses by X-ray diffractometer and thermogravimetry were conducted on samples with cenospheres after 9-month C227 and C1260 tests to better understand the behavior of cenospheres exposed to high alkaline environments and higher temperatures in these tests. Results indicate that cenospheres are not potentially deleterious due to ASR. Expansion of the mortar specimens tested to ASTM C227 and C1260 seems to be affected by the pozzolanic reactivity of cenospheres. Fine cenospheres showed limited pozzolanic reactivity at 28–30 °C and 38 °C, but exhibited significant pozzolanic reactivity at 80 °C with aluminum tobermorite [Ca5Si5Al(OH)O17∙ 5H2O] identified as the main reaction product.