The impact of spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst on the selected mechanical and physical performances of cement mortars

This paper presents the results of research aimed for evaluating the impact of applicability of spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst as a substitute of 20, 40, 60 and 80% of cement, by mass, in cement mortars on their selected mechanical and physical performances. It was demonstrated that substitution of 20% of cement mass with spent catalyst enhanced mortar’s compressive strength for 16.7%. Further addition of spent catalyst tended to decrease strength, whilst, simultaneously, rose the values of capillary absorption and water absorptivity because of deterioration of cement matrix structure, documented by SEM photos. Based on the research and literature data, it was proved that spent cracking catalyst might be a promising additive to cement in the amount not exceeding 40% of its mass considering its pozzolanicity