Magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC), a type of Sorel's cement, has gained renewed attention as a sustainable building material due to its low carbon footprint and energy consumption. However, its application in construction remains limited, primarily due to its inadequate moisture resistance and the reduced early-age strength under elevated temperature conditions. This research investigates the impact of silica gel G (SG) on the properties of MOC. SG was incorporated into MOC at varying proportions (0-20% by weight of MgO) to form MOC-SG composites. The study evaluated the physical and mechanical properties of these composites, including setting time, moisture ingress resistance, and compressive strength. Additionally, FTIR, PXRD, SEM-EDX and TGA analysis were also conducted to examine the crystalline phase of the composites. SG acts as a binding agent, enhancing the strength and durability of the composite. This research demonstrates the potential of MOC-SG composite as a promising sustainable building material. Results indicate that the addition of 5% SG significantly improves the properties of MOC.
Yadav et al. (Thu,) studied this question.