Thermal performance of limestone mortars for use in sodium cooled fast breeder reactors

Liquid sodium at temperature of about 550°C is used as a coolant in fast breeder reactors. A sacrificial layer is employed over the conventional concrete to minimise its damage in the case of an accidental spillage of hot sodium. This paper discusses the thermal performance of limestone mortars with different types of cement. Comparative physical and mechanical performance including compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance and mass loss with mortars containing river sand has been evaluated. Microstructure, XRD and TGA have also been investigated in this study. The results from this study indicate that the thermal performance of the mortars is influenced significantly by its water to cement ratio, exposure duration and types of cement.