Strength development in magnesium oxychloride and other cements

Measurements of compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and microhardness were made on magnesium oxychloride cement systems having a wide range of porosity. Analysis of the plots of log mechanical property versus porosity gave expressions interrelating mechanical properties which were independent of porosity. Comparison of these results with those of the portland cement system show that magnesium oxychloride cement paste has a higher value of modulus of elasticity and microhardness over the porosity range studied. Microhardness of magnesium oxychloride cement paste is also greater than that for all gypsum plaster preparations in the porosity range studied. Mechanical behaviour of magnesium oxychloride cement compacts is improved when heated in water at 85°C. It appears that this heat treatment results in formation of a porous body consisting mainly of Mg(OH)₂. Among the systems magnesium oxychloride, portland cement, gypsum and magnesium hydroxide, it appears that magnesium hydroxide forms the strongest bodies.