Effect of Molar Ratios and Curing Conditions on the Moisture Resistance of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement

Abstract

Magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) is a promising binder with many advantageous properties over traditional binders. Its main downfall, restricting large-scale use, is its inherent susceptibility to moisture. However, in recent years, niche applications have developed where MOC has been deployed successfully. These include lightweight wall panels, floor tiles, and decorative panels. This paper investigates the effect of molar ratios (MgO/MgCl2 and H2O/MgCl2) and curing conditions on MOC. Findings illustrate that the use of appropriate molar ratios and the implementation of a suitable curing regime can significantly improve the moisture resistance of MOC. After 28 days of immersion in water, the MOC samples lost between 40% and 90% of their strength depending on the molar ratio, demonstrating the importance of correct proportioning. It was also found that curing MOC at temperatures between 20°C and 50°C provides the most stable MOC in humid conditions. These findings add to the current knowledge available on MOC. They will help end users to improve the performance of MOC in its current applications and work toward broadening the range of applications where MOC can be used successfully.