Cracks in Sorel's cement polishing bricks as a result of magnesium oxychloride carbonatation
✍ Scribed by M.D. de Castellar; J.C. Lorente; A. Traveria; J.M. Tura
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 1996
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 247 KB
- Volume
- 26
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0008-8846
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✦ Synopsis
A magnesium oxychloride polishing brick showed, after five months, both original planes bent towards the same side and two perpendicular systems of cracks. A powdered sample of the crust treated with distilled water, revealed two sedimentary layers. Brucite, oxychloride form 3, chlorocarbonate and traces of form 5 were identified in the lower level. Periclase, FS and brucite were identified in the upper level.
The association of F3 with the basic chlorocarbonate suggests that the carbonatation takes place on this form. This carbonatation implies an increase volume producing enough stress to provoke the observed cracks. The CaO impurities yield aragonite, so this is formed simultaneously with chlorocarbonate due to the atmospheric COz and magnesium ions act as inhibitors of the calcite formation.