Effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the hydration heat properties of cement composites

In recent years, nano-reinforcing materials are widely utilized in cement composites due to their unique multifunctional properties. This study incorporated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the cementitious composites at ratios of 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%, and investigated their influence on the flowability, mechanical strength, and hydration heat properties. The addition of MWCNTs enhanced the compressive and split tensile strengths approximately by 18-51%. In the semi-adiabatic temperature rise test, the internal hydration heat of the composites reduced by 5%, 9%, and 12% with the increase of MWCNTs in 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%. This study further performed hydration heat analysis and estimated the adiabatic temperature rise, thermal stress, and thermal crack index. The internal hydration heat of the concrete decreased by 5%, 10%, and 13% with the increase of MWCNTs. The thermal stress of the concrete decreased with increase in the addition of MWCNTs, and the obtained temperature crack index was effective in controlling the thermal cracks.