What do SCMs do to concrete?
SCMs work with cement to bind the aggregates and other concrete ingredients, and can improve concretes strength and durability. SCMs can fill the pores in concrete making the resulting mix more resistant to chlorides and sulphates. Light colored SCMs such as white silica fume or metakaolin are used for architectural face mixes. Certain SCMs such as fly ash may slow the time of set, which may be offset by chemical accelerating admixtures. SCMs work through either hydraulic or pozzolanic reactions.
