Stability of silica concrete based on quartz bond in water, sodium sulphate, and sulphuric acid solutions

The stability of silica concrete (SC) in long term immersion and cyclical tests in various liquid media was investigated. No chemical interaction was found to take place between SC and water or saturated Na 2 SO 4 solution. SC is more stable in a sulphate medium than in water. The stability in sulphuric acid was found to depend on the coarse aggregate type and acid concentration. It was shown that SC with a monomineral quartzite coarse aggregate has high durability in weak to strong acid solutions. It is concluded that SC is durable in concentrated sulphate solution and sulphuric acid where a conventional concrete is not resistant in these media.