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Content ID: 2049198

Shared By: Emmanuel Therond
Status: Valid

Effects of magnesium salts on cement (so-called "dolomitization")

Summary
Magnesium salt will increase the slurry viscosity and will decrease mechanical properties.
Details - Latest Proposal from ITE
Question Details:
Following a client request, I need information regarding the effects of magnesium salts on cement slurries. Specifically, I am
looking for information about the degree to which Ca and Mg ions will interchange, resulting in the "dolomitization" of the
cement.
Answer Details:
Influence of magnesium salts on cement slurries: strong viscosification of slurry due to the massive precipitation of magnesium
hydroxide. This precipitation is due to a reaction between magnesium ions coming from the brine and hydroxyl ions present in
the interstitial water of cement slurry. Magesium hydroxide formed is more or less amorphous and develops high surface area
(a kind of gel). It can adsorb water and organic additives (e.g., dispersant), resulting in drastic viscosification of slurry.
Influence of magnesium salts on set cement: magnesium can attack the two main hydrates of Portland cement; the C-S-H gel
and the portlandite (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2). The presence of Portlandite is a weak point of set cement with respect to
chemical attacks. The following reactions take place:
Ca(OH)2 + MgCl2 --> Mg(OH)2 + CaCl2 (1)
Ca(OH)2 + MgSO4 --> Mg(OH)2 + CaSO4 (2)
If too much magnesium hydroxide is formed this may lead to expansion (and eventually cracking of the cement matrix) since
the volume occupied by magnesium hydroxide is higher than that of calcium hydroxide. Moreover, calcium sulfate released
from equation (2) can react with calcium aluminate hydrates present in set cement to form secondary ettringite. Again, this
may result in expansion and then cracking, especially if the cement is not a high sulfate resistant cement.
Magnesium ions can also react with the C-S-H gel (exchange between calcium and magnesium ions) which is the main binder
of Portland cement. Some magnesium silicate hydrates are formed (e.g., serpentine) but, contrary to calcium silicate hydrates
(C-S-H gel), they have no real binding properties. This may lead to drastic decrease of mechanical properties.
The following guidelines can be given:
Magnesium Concentration (mg/L) Risk
100-300 slight
300-1500 moderate
1500-3000 high
> 3000 very high
Generally speaking pozzolan cements show better resistance to magnesium attack. This is due to the fact that the amount of
portlandite in these hydrated cements is much lower, and the permeability of the cement matrix is generally lower, limiting the
diffusion of magnesium ions throughout the set cement. The addition of latex can also help (permeability decrease).
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Classification Info
Geography\Schlumberger Support\Technical Centres\SRPC - Schlumberger Riboud Product Centre
Products & Services\Cementing\Chemicals\Cement Systems\Salt systems
Products & Services\Cementing\Chemicals\Cementitious materials\Portland cement
Products & Services\Cementing\Chemicals\Cementitious materials\Pozzolan

Other Info
Content ID: 2049198
Shared By: Emmanuel Therond
Submitted Date: 12-Mar-01
Last Reviewed:28-Aug-09
Validated By: Alain Ferri
Last Edited By: AFERRI1
Last Edit Date: 28-Aug-09
Helpdesk:WS-CEMENTING

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Keywords
Cementing
Chemicals
Cementitious materials
Pozzolan
salt
Mg
attack
calcium
magnesium
slurry
TT
thickening
time
rheology
viscosity
viscosification
precipitation
hydroxide
salt
salts
ion
ions

dolomitization
hydrate

ca

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on waste management.

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