SULPHUR-AGGREGATE CONCRETE

SULPHUR IN PLACE OF CEMENT IN A CONCRETE WITH CONVENTIONAL AGGREGATES HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL AS A STRUCTURAL AND WEARING MATERIAL IN EXTENSIVE TESTS MADE FOR THE U. S. AIR FORCE WEAPONS LABORATORY. SULPHUR-AGGREGATE CONCRETE IS A THERMOPLASTIC MIXTURE OF ELEMENTAL SULPHUR WITH A FINE AND A COARSE AGGREGATE. TO BE PREPARED IT MUST BE HEATED ABOVE THE MELTING POINT OF SULPHUR, 239 DEG F. AT THIS TIME THE SULPHUR BECOMES A LIQUID WHICH ACTS AS A LUBRICANT, WETTING THE AGGREGATE AND CONVERTING IT INTO A PLASTIC MIXTURE. ON COOLING OF THE MIXTURE BELOW THE MELTING POINT OF SULPHUR, THE SULPHUR SOLIDIFIES IMMEDIATELY AND BINDS THE AGGREGATE INTO A HARD, CONCRETE-LIKE MATERIAL. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF MORE THAN 3,000 PSI ARE READILY OBTAINED WITH MODERATELY GOOD AGGREGATES, 5,000 PSI IS REACHED WITH CRUSHED BASALT. COST IS NOT EXCESSIVE. SINCE IT SETS AS SOON AS IT HARDENS, IT IS EXCELLENT FOR REPAIR WORK. AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL, SULPHUR-AGGREGATE CONCRETE HAS POTENTIAL IN APPLICATIONS WHERE HIGH EARLY STRENGTH IS REQUIRED, SUCH AS IN HIGHWAY AND RUNWAY REPAIRS. BECAUSE IT IS A HOT MELT MATERIAL, IT CAN BE PLACED IN BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. DUE TO ITS CHEMICAL RESISTANCE, IT SHOULD FIND APPLICATION IN CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS FOUND IN CHEMICAL PLANTS, AROUND ACID PUMP BASES, SUMPS, ETC.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 37, No 12, PP 66-68, 1 FIG, 1 TAB, 1 PHOT
• Authors:
  • Dale, J M
  • Ludwig, A C
• Publication Date: 1967-12

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coarse aggregates; Compressive strength; Concrete; Concrete aggregates; Concrete hardening; Corrosion resistance; Economics; Fine aggregates; Hardness; Hot mix asphalt; Sulfur; Thermoplastic materials
• Subject Areas: Economics; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00216291
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 22 1994 12:00AM