Alkali-activated blends of calcium aluminate cement and slag/diatomite

The present study deals with the formulation of new cementitious materials via the alkaline activation of an industrial by-product (blast furnace slag) or a natural rock (diatomite) in the presence of reactive aluminium sourced from calcium aluminate cement (CAC). Two blends, one containing 20% CAC and 80% slag and the other 20% CAC and 80% diatomite, were prepared and activated with sodium sulphate or a sodium hydroxide solution. The hardened materials were characterised with X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and tested for their 2-day mechanical strength. The main reaction product was a cementitious gel that precipitated with crystalline phases such as ettringite, U phase and katoite. While the slag blend reacted to generate a C–(A)–S–H-like gel under moderately alkaline conditions, diatomite reactivity proved to be very low under such conditions. The greater reactivity of both slag and diatomite at high pH (high alkalinity) favoured their interaction with CAC.