Mechanical and microstructural properties of mortars incorporating ceramic waste powder exposed to the hydrochloric acid solution

•Influences of ceramic waste powder content on the hydrochloric acid resistance of mortars were investigated.•Mechanical, physical, and microstructural examinations were studied.•Hydrochloric acid resistance of mortars improved with increased ceramic waste powder content.•The SEM images showed that using CWP as cement substitution decreased the pores and voids.•The mortars incorporating 5 and 10% ceramic waste powder denoted as the optimum mixture compositions. The present experimental study has considered the mechanical, physical, and micro-structural characteristics of mortars which were immersed in the hydrochloric acid (HCL) solution. The cement has been substituted partially with ceramic waste powder (CWP) in quantities of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%. To simulate the HCL deposits, the prepared mortars incorporating different contents of CWP as cement replacement were immersed in the HCL solution (pH = 2) for 14, 28, 42, and 56 days. This paper investigates the compressive and flexural strengths, mass loss test, and visual inspection of the mortar specimens. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests of specimens were also carried out in order to examine the mortars micro-structure characteristics. The mortars incorporating 5% CWP as cement replacement provided the highest mechanical strength was compared to others at 14, 28, 42, 56 days of acid curing. XRD patterns demonstrated that the specimen including 5% CWP as cement substitution has lower intensity of Portlandite (Ca(OH)2) peaks than the control specimen. The SEM images showed that using CWP as cement substitution decreased the pores and voids. The outcomes demonstrated that using CWP as cement substitution enhances the acid resistance of specimens.