RESUMEN
The present work analyzes the effect of releasing physically bound water from hydrogel, cork, perlite, and ceramsite on materials exposed to microwave radiation and subsequently investigates possible changes in the physical properties of these materials (water absorption and thermal conductivity coefficient). The release of physically bound water from individual materials has potential practical applications in materials engineering, for example, in the internal curing of concrete, where individual aggregates could, under the influence of microwave radiation, release water into the structure of the concrete and thus further cure it. Experimental analysis was carried out with samples of the above-mentioned materials, which were first weighed and then immersed in water for 24 h. Then, they were weighed again and exposed to microwave radiation. After exposure, the samples were weighed again, left immersed in water for 24 h, and weighed again. The focus of the study was on the ability of the aggregates to release water due to microwave radiation and on the changes in the properties (water absorption, thermal conductivity coefficient) of these materials when exposed to microwave radiation. The samples were further monitored by digital microscopy for possible changes in the surface layer of the materials. The hydrogels show the highest water absorption (1000%) and the fastest water release (45 min to complete desiccation). After the release of water due to microwave radiation, their ability to absorb water is maintained. Of interest, however, is that in the case of almost complete removal of water from the soaked hydrogel, the original powdered state of the hydrogel is not obtained, but the outcome has rather a solid structure. In the case of cork, the water absorption depends on the fraction of the material.
RESUMEN
The present paper deals with the properties of hardened cement mixtures that have been exposed to microwave radiation. Microwaves fall under electromagnetic waves (EMW), and the main reason for using EMW radiation is to accelerate the drying of concrete as well as to reduce the time required to obtain the handling strength after it is removed from the mould. This paper is divided into two main parts. In the first part, three sets of cement samples were made. One set of samples solidified naturally in air and the second and third sets of samples were exposed to EMW radiation, with different exposure times for each. The solidification was then stopped, and the representation of the major minerals was experimentally determined. The second part of the experiment focuses on the properties of the hardened cement mixtures, both in terms of strength and physical properties. The experiment was carried out on two sets of samples. Each mixture was exposed to EMW radiation, the main differences being the exposure time and the position of the samples relative to the EMW generator. The aim of the experiments is to determine the resulting mechanical properties of the samples in comparison with those that were subjected to normal solidification in air. The data from these experiments suggest that microwave radiation can be used to accelerate the curing of concrete specimens, obtaining the handling strength in a relatively short time, but a reduction in the resulting strength can be expected compared to the reference specimens.