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Sulphate corrosion is a complex sequence of chemical and physical processes that, when the aqueous sulphate solutions are exposed for a sufficiently long time, irreversibly destroys the microstructure of cement paste. In order to determine the durability of Portland cement mortars, mortar resistance tests were carried out on a 5% solution of sodium sulphate by measuring linear deformations. The tests included 1 series of non air-entrained mortars and 3 series of air-entrained mortars with air content: 7%, 10% and 13%. The biggest deformations were observed for non air-entrained samples, the smallest for mortar with an air content of 13%. Compressive strength tests of mortars after 28 days and 80 weeks of residence in a solution of sodium sulphate were also carried out. For all mortars, the strength measured after 80 weeks immersion in Na2SO4 increased in relation to the strength after 28 days of maturation. Observations of the cement mortar microstructure using a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) showed that ettringite was present in both the C-S-H structure and the air pores. By means of XRD analysis, the occurrence of crystalline materials was detected. Based on the research, it was found that air-entrained cement mortars showed greater durability in the context of sulphate corrosion.

The aim of the study was to determine the optimal air content in concretes subjected a combination of exposure conditions. Five series of concretes with different air contents were tested. The article reports the experimental results of the combined sulphate expansion and freeze-thaw attack in ordinary Portland cement concrete. Some of the concrete samples were immersed in a 5% sodium sulphate solution for nine months, and then frozen in air and thawed in water. The resistance of concrete to plain freezing and thawing was also tested. In order to compare the degree of concrete damage in both environments, long-term linear deformations (expansion) and compressive strength of concretes were investigated. To explain the complex damaging process the air-void structure in concretes was investigated. The changes in concrete microstructure after storing in sodium sulphate solution were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The prior sulphate attack significantly accelerated the deterioration of non-air-entrained concrete and air-entrained concrete with low content of air voids. Optimal air entrainment will protect concrete from the harmful effects of the interaction of sulphate attack and freezethaw damage.