Modification of phase evolution in alkali-activated blast furnace slag by the incorporation of fly ash

The microstructural evolution of alkali-activated binders based on blast furnace slag, fly ash and their blends during the first six months of sealed curing is assessed. The nature of the main binding gels in these blends shows distinct characteristics with respect to binder composition. It is evident that the incorporation of fly ash as an additional source of alumina and silica, but not calcium, in activated slag binders affects the mechanism and rate of formation of the main binding gels. The rate of formation of the main binding gel phases depends strongly on fly ash content. Pastes based solely on silicate-activated slag show a structure dominated by a C–A–S–H type gel, while silicate-activated fly ash are dominated by N–A–S–H ‘geopolymer’ gel. Blended slag-fly ash binders can demonstrate the formation of co-existing C–A–S–H and geopolymer gels, which are clearly distinguishable at earlier age when the binder contains no more than 75 wt.% fly ash. The separation in chemistry between different regions of the gel becomes less distinct at longer age. With a slower overall reaction rate, a 1:1 slag:fly ash system shares more microstructural features with a slag-based binder than a fly ash-based binder, indicating the strong influence of calcium on the gel chemistry, particularly with regard to the bound water environments within the gel. However, in systems with similar or lower slag content, a hybrid type gel described as N–(C)–A–S–H is also identified, as part of the Ca released by slag dissolution is incorporated into the N–A–S–H type gel resulting from fly ash activation. Fly ash-based binders exhibit a slower reaction compared to activated-slag pastes, but extended times of curing promote the formation of more cross-linked binding products and a denser microstructure. This mechanism is slower for samples with lower slag content, emphasizing the correct selection of binder proportions in promoting a well-densified, durable solid microstructure.     

Immobilization of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Cd, Mn) in the mineral additions containing concrete composites

The presented work determines the level of heavy metals (Pb+2, Cu+2, Zn+2, Cr+6, Cd+2, Mn+2) immobilization in the composites produced using Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as well as of binders containing large amount of mineral additives in its composition-siliceous fly ash (FA), fluidized bed combustion ash (FFA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). Heavy metals were introduced to cementitious materials in the form of soluble salts as well as components of hazardous wastes (medical ash, metallurgical dust). It has been stated, that the level of heavy metals immobilization is combined with composites composition. Majority of analyzed heavy metals, added to binders' composition in the form of heavy metal salts achieves high level of immobilization, in mortar based on binder with 85% GGBFS and 15% OPC. The lowest immobilization level was reached for chromium Cr+6 added to hardening mortars as Na2Cr2O72H2O. The level ranges from 85.97% in mortars made on blended binder (20% OPC, 30% FFA and 50% GGBFS) to 93.33% in mortar produced on OPC. The increase of the so-called immobilization degree with time of hardened material maturing was found. This should be attributed to the pozzolanic or pozzolanic/hydraulic properties of components used; their effect on microstructure of hardened material is also important. Mineral additions enter the hydration reactions in the mixtures and favor the formation of specific microstructure promoting the immobilization of hazardous elements.     

Investigation of properties of fluorogypsum-slag composite binders – Hydration,strength and microstructure

A composite binder of high strength and low water absorption has been developed using industrial by-products fluorogypsum, granulated blast furnace slag and Portland cement. The development of strength in the binder at an early age is attributed to the conversion of anhydrite into gypsum and at later age is due to the formation of ettringite and tobermorite, as a reaction of slag with lime produced during the hydration of cement. These cementitious phases fill in pores and voids of the hydrating gypsum crystals to form a dense and compact structure of low porosity and low pore volume. The reaction products formed during the hydration period were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The reduction in porosity and low pore volume of binders, as studied by mercury intrusion porosimetry, are responsible for attainment of high strength and better stability towards water in composite binders than the conventional gypsum plaster.     

早龄期复合胶凝材料的裂纹扩展阻力分析

研究了不同组成的复合胶凝材料硬化浆体(硅酸盐水泥,硅酸盐水泥 粉煤灰,硅酸盐水泥 矿渣,硅酸盐水泥 硅灰,硅酸盐水泥 硅灰 粉煤灰)早龄期时裂纹扩展阻力的发展,探讨了粉煤灰掺量对裂纹扩展阻力的影响.结果表明:早龄期时,在相同水胶比条件下,掺加硅灰使胶凝材料体系裂纹扩展阻力明显降低,在低水胶比条件下,掺加一定量的粉煤灰能够明显增加体系的裂纹扩展阻力,掺加20%的粉煤灰能使胶凝材料具有较高的裂纹扩展阻力.     

Improvement of the early-age reactivity of fly ash and blast furnace slag cementitious systems using limestone filler

This article analyzes the effects of the addition of limestone filler on the hydration rate, setting times and early-age mechanical properties of binary and ternary-binder mortars containing Portland cement, blast furnace slag (BFS) and fly ash (FA), with various substitution rates of cement with mineral additions going up to 50%. Vicat needle penetration tests and measurements of heat flow of reaction, compressive strength and dynamic Young’s modulus were carried out on 14 mortars prepared with binary and ternary binders, at 20°C. The results obtained on the mortars containing binary binders, show that their loss of mechanical strength at early age is not caused by a deceleration of the reactions of cement in the presence of mineral additions, but is mainly explained by the dilution effect related to the reduction in cement content. A moderate addition of limestone filler (8–17%) makes it possible to obtain ternary binders with early-age reactivity equal or even higher than that of Portland cement, and with 28-days mechanical resistance close to those of the binary-binder mortars. This accelerating effect of limestone filler is particularly sensitive in the case of mortars containing FA.     

Identification of design parameters influencing manufacture and properties of cold-bonded pond ash aggregate

This paper explores the feasibility and the process of converting of pond ashes – a waste material into artificial aggregates – a value added product. As a first step, identification of the parameters influencing manufacture and properties of artificial aggregate with pond ash has been carried out. Pond ash of both bituminous and lignite type have been chosen to make aggregate through pelletization and cold-bonding. The parameters identified are moisture content, binder dosage, pelletization enhancer and strength enhancer dosage. The range of parameters are varied and the designed experimental runs are carried out by adopting statistical technique known as central composite design of Response Surface Methodology. The physical properties of aggregate like bulk density, water absorption and open porosity and the strength property of aggregate represented through 10% fines value have been determined for the influence of parameters thus identified. Microstructure and phase composition of aggregate are represented by SEM and XRD respectively. Ordinary Portland cement, locally available hydrated lime, and hardening admixture are used as binders at varying amounts from 10% to 20% by weight. Calcium hydroxide and sodium sulphate are used as pelletization and strength enhancing admixture respectively. It is observed that the dosage of binder, strength and pelletization enhancing admixture improved the properties of aggregate. The results indicated, potentially exposes a new avenue to convert pond ash – a waste material into a value added product.     

The hydration and microstructure of ultra high-strength concrete with cement–silica fume–slag binder

This study investigated the flowability, compressive strength, heat of hydration, porosity and calcium hydroxide content of ultra-high-strength concrete (UHSC) with cement–silica fume–slag binder at 20 °C. The composition of the binder was designed using seven-batch factorial design method. The relationships between the binder composition and the properties were expressed in contours. Results showed that proper silica fume content could improve the flowability and compressive strength of UHSC, reduce the porosity and calcium hydroxide content of UHSC. Slag reduced the flowability, compressive strength, porosity, and calcium hydroxide content of UHSC to certain extent. The silica fume and slag demonstrated positive synergistic effects on the flowability and 3 d compressive strength, but have negative synergistic effects on the total heat of hydration, hydration heat when the time is infinitely long(P₀), 56 d compressive strength, porosity and calcium hydroxide content of UHSC.     

Effectiveness of new silica fume alkali activator

The effectiveness of a new type of alkali activator is studied. The activator is a product of silica fume. The results obtained showed the silica fume activator as a highly effective substance for the alkali activation of the combinations of Portland cement, silica fume and blast furnace slag, and slag alone. The positive effect of activator is based on the intensification of the production of calcium silicate hydrates and the densifying of the forming pore structure of the activated binder.     

Improving an alumina fiber filter membrane for hot gas filtration using an acid phosphate binder

Alumina fiber based filter membranes were prepared using acid phosphate (phosphoric acid plus aluminum hydroxide), colloidal alumina, monoaluminum phosphate and three types of colloidal silica binders at various binders contents. The filter membranes containing between 5% and 10% by weight of acid phosphate binder exhibited the highest flexural strength, compressive strength, work of fracture and elastic modulus in comparison to those containing the other binders at equivalent binder contents, and exhibited the lowest pressure drop in comparison to membranes with other binders and having equivalent flexural and compressive strengths. Microscopy showed that the acid phosphate caused the fibers to bond at their junctions only, whereas colloidal alumina or colloidal silica binders caused free binder particles within the fiber network.     

Estimating the Mechanical Properties of Diamond-Containing Composites Using the Value of the Coercive Force

We propose to estimate the mechanical characteristics of diamond-containing composites for stone-cutting wheels made of a metallic binder with a ferromagnetic component by the coercive force. For M6-14 and M6-14-1 binders, the hardness (yield stress) depends linearly on the coercive force in the range 85–100 HRB. The value of the coercive force of a diamond-containing composite rather well reproduces its structural state, which essentially depends on the composition of the binder, the original material, the manufacturing technique, and the sintering temperature of the composite. The obtained regularities enable one to determine the optimum interval of values of the coercive force for the required level of the mechanical characteristics depending on the composition of the binder.     

Microscopy and microanalysis of inorganic polymer cements. 2: the gel binder

By scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis of fly ash-based and mixed fly ash-slag inorganic polymer cement (i.e., “fly ash geopolymer”) binders, a more detailed understanding of the gel structure and its formation mechanism have been developed. The binder is predominantly an aluminosilicate gel charge balanced by alkali metal cations, although it appears that calcium supplied by slag particles becomes relatively well dispersed throughout the gel. The gel itself is comprised of colloidal-sized, globular units closely bonded together at their surfaces. The microstructure of the binder resulting from hydroxide activation of fly ash is much less uniform than that which forms in a corresponding silicate-activated system; this can be rationalized in terms of a newly developed explanation for the differences in reaction mechanisms between these two systems. In hydroxide activation, the newly formed gel phase nucleates and grows outwards from the ash particle surfaces, whereas the high silica concentration in a silicate-activated system enables a more homogeneous gelation process to take place throughout the inter-particle volume.     

Micromechanical properties of alkali-activated slag cement binders

An experimental investigation into the micromechanical properties of alkali-activated slag cement (AASC) binders was carried out using targeted and grid nanoindentation. The results of grid indentation techniques were deconvolved using Gaussian mixture modeling with Bayesian model selection to determine the appropriate number of component phases for the model. The information given by the resulting mixture models and from targeted indentation experiments was disseminated in the context of existing information about the composition and development of the microstructure in AASC binders. The microstructure of sodium silicate-activated slag cement contains only two components (ground mass gel and unreacted slag cement) upon microscopic examination, but indentation data suggest that it is much more complex and varied. The microstructure of sodium hydroxide-activated slag cement contains ground mass gel, unreacted slag cement, and an inner product ring surround the unreacted slag. The inner product is denser, harder, and stiffer than the surrounding product phases. The micromechanical properties in sodium hydroxide-activated slag cement are not affected by activator molarity; the macroscale strength is similarly unaffected. Conversely, the micromechanical properties of sodium silicate-activated slag show a slight improvement with increased silica modulus, while the macroscale strength shows a significant improvement. The macroscale improvement is likely due to the increased size of unreacted slag cement grains, which are shown to be very hard and stiff.     

Acid resistance of inorganic polymer binders. 1. Corrosion rate

The resistance to acid-induced corrosion of inorganic polymer (including ??fly ash geopolymer??) binders is examined, by exposing specimens to nitric and sulphuric acids at pH values between 1 and 3, and measuring the corroded depth as a function of exposure time. The inorganic polymer binders are shown to be affected by acid attack by surface corrosion, which contradicts some previous claims of extremely high acid resistance in such binders. Corroded depth is shown to be a more sensitive measure of the performance of inorganic polymer binders than change in mass, because acid attack on the highly-connected aluminosilicate network of an inorganic polymer binder leads to the formation of an apparently intact, but physically weak and porous, reaction product layer on the sample surface, rather than complete disappearance of the binder as is often the case for other binder types. A strong correlation between permeability and resistance to acid attack is noted across a wide range of inorganic polymer formulations, including samples based on fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and mixtures of the two. The presence of calcium (supplied either by a Class C fly ash or by slag) and of high alkali concentrations each show a positive influence on acid resistance, which is attributed to the reduction in mass transport rates through the finer and more tortuous pore networks of such binders.     

Improvement of the temperature resistance of aluminium-matrix composites using an acid phosphate binder

The use of phosphate binders instead of the widely used silica binder resulted in improved temperature resistance, increased tensile strength and decreased coefficient of thermal expansion. The effects were largest for the phosphate binder which contained the largest amount of phosphoric acid (P/Al atom ratio = 24 in the liquid binder). These effects were probably due to the protection of the SiC whiskers by the binder phases (aluminium metaphosphate or aluminium orthophosphate), the binder-SiC reaction product (SiP₂O₇) and the binder-aluminium reaction product (AIP) from further reaction between the SiC and aluminium. The tensile strength of the composite containing the SiC whisker preform made with the phosphate binder (P/Al atom ratio = 6 or 24 in the liquid binder) was increased after heating at up to 600 °C for 240 h. The silicon phosphate (SiP₂O₇) acted as an in situ binder and was primarily responsible for increasing the compressive strength of the preform and increasing the temperature resistance of the composite. The carbon fibre composite containing the preform made by using the phosphate binder (P/Al atom ratio = 24 in the liquid binder) with either water or acetone as the liquid carrier during wet forming of the preform had a higher tensile strength than the carbon fibre composite made by using the silica binder. After composite heat exposure to 600 °C for 14 h, the carbon fibre composite made by using this phosphate binder with acetone as the liquid carrier during wet forming of the preform showed the best temperature resistance, while the carbon fibre composites made by using this phosphate binder with water as the carrier showed the second best temperature resistance, and that made by using silica binder was the worst. The reason for the better effect of the phosphate binder than the silica binder is probably due to the ability of the phosphate binder and the binder-aluminium reaction product (AIP) to protect the carbon fibres from the undesirable reaction between the carbon fibres and aluminium. The lack of a binder-fibre reaction contributed to making the carbon fibre composites less temperature resistant than the SiC whisker composites. The use of a higher binder concentration is attractive for increasing the temperature resistance of the composites. The binder concentration in the preform can be increased by increasing the binder concentration in the slurry used in the wet forming of the preform.     

Synthesis of nanoparticles from slag and their enhancement effect on hydration properties of CaO/CaSO4-activated slag binder

Developing a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative to cement is of great significance for reducing the CO₂ emissions. CaO/CaSO₄-activated slag binder may only be served as a promising cementitious material when the severe defect in the early strength is overcame. In this study, gel-like nanoparticles with an average size of ～ 328 nm were prepared from the slag through dissolution at room temperature and reprecipitation at 50 °C. Subsequently, synthetic nanoparticles (SNPs) were added as a supplementary additive to enhance the strength of CaO/CaSO₄-activated slag binder. The effects of SNPs on the strength development, hydration kinetics, hydration products, and microstructure of the slag binders were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of moderate SNPs shortened the duration of induction period and improved the reaction rate in the acceleration period of the slag binders. As a result, large amounts of calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) gel was generated at early hydration ages. Meanwhile, SNPs increased the polymerization degree of this gel through the nucleation effect. Gel products’ well-filled the pore spaces between slag particles and yielded a compact microstructure, consequently enhancing the binder strength. The sample with adding 1.5 wt% SNPs exhibited the optimum strengths of 7.78 and 39.86 MPa after 1 and 28 days.     

Relation between carbonation resistance,mix design and exposure of mortar and concrete

When cement with mineral additions is employed, the carbonation resistance of mortar and concrete may be decreased. In this study, mortars containing mineral additions are exposed both to accelerated carbonation (1% and 4% CO₂) and to natural carbonation. Additionally, concrete mixtures produced with different cements, water-to-cement ratios and paste volumes are exposed to natural carbonation. The comparison of the carbonation coefficients determined in the different exposure conditions indicates that mortar and concrete containing slag and microsilica underperform in the accelerated carbonation test compared to field conditions. The carbonation resistance in mortar and concrete is mainly governed by the CO₂ buffer capacity per volume of cement paste. It can be expressed by the ratio between water added during production and the amount of reactive CaO present in the binder (w/CaO_reactive) resulting in a novel parameter to assess carbonation resistance of mortar and concrete containing mineral additions.     

Preparation and Properties of Slag Wool Board using Modified Polyvinyl Alcohol as Binder

Slag wool boards were produced by using slag wool as the main raw material and adding modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the binder. The microstructure, thermal conductivity, compression strength, hydrophobicity, and other properties of the slag wool board were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy, thermal conductivity tester, electronic universal testing machine, and other equipments. Also, the influence of different types and amount of binder on the properties of the slag wool board was studied. The results show that the addition of silica sol can improve the high temperature resistance of the slag wool board, and the addition of borax can improve the hydrophobic rate and compression strength of the slag wool board. Also, the concentration of PVA has obvious influence on the usage of silica sol and borax. In this study, we found that the optimal ratio of the binder should be 3 wt% addition of PVA, 20 wt% addition of silica sol, and 0.2 wt% of borax (relative to the amount of PVA), under the condition of satisfying the performance index of slag wool board and the convenience to spray the adhesive.     

Drying-induced changes in the structure of alkali-activated pastes

Drying of cement paste, mortar, or concrete specimens is usually required as a pre-conditioning step prior to the determination of permeability-related properties according to standard testing methods. The reaction process, and consequently the structure, of an alkali-activated slag or slag/fly ash blend geopolymer binder differs from that of Portland cement, and therefore there is little understanding of the effects of conventional drying methods (as applied to Portland cements) on the structure of the geopolymer binders. Here, oven drying (60 °C), acetone treatment, and desiccator/vacuum drying are applied to sodium silicate-activated slag and slag/fly ash geopolymer pastes after 40 days of curing. Structural characterization via X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and nitrogen sorption shows that the acetone treatment best preserves the microstructure of the samples, while oven drying modifies the structure of the binding gels, especially in alkali-activated slag paste where it notably changes the pore structure of the binder. This suggests that the pre-conditioned drying of alkali activation-based materials strongly affects their microstructural properties, providing potentially misleading permeability and durability parameters for these materials when pre-conditioned specimens are used during standardized testing.     

Effect of fibre-matrix-binder interactions on the matrix composition and age-hardening behaviour of 6061-based MMCs

Reactions between magnesium, alumina fibre and silica binder, during the manufacture of 6061 metal matrix composite (MMC) by the pressure infiltration technique, have been investigated for their effect on the structure, composition and age-hardening response of the MMC with increasing infiltration distance. The structure and composition were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. The age-hardening behaviour, of both the MMC and unreinforced alloy, was determined using hardness measurements. There was a progressive depletion of magnesium in the MMC with increasing infiltration distance, which was particularly marked when the silica binder content exceeded 1 wt % (in a 20% V _f preform). This has been explained in terms of a reaction which results in the formation of an oxide at the fibre/matrix interface and a release of silicon into the matrix. The depletion of magnesium was associated with a reduction in the age-hardening response of the MMC, consistent with predicted behaviour based on the Al-Mg₂Si pseudo-binary phase diagram. In spite of these effects, the overall ageing behaviour of the MMC was enhanced compared with the unreinforced alloy, showing both higher peak-aged hardnesses and enhanced ageing kinetics, particularly at lower ageing temperatures.     

Developing an aging model to evaluate engineering properties of asphalt paving binders

Oxidative aging of asphalt is a primary cause of binder hardening in pavements, thus contributing to various forms of pavement failures. An essential element of predicting long-term pavement performance is to understand binder oxidative aging and its effect on engineering properties. Five asphalt binders were evaluated relative to their changes in engineering and chemical properties in pavement service. Laboratory rolling thin-film oven test (RTFOT) and pressure aging vessel (PAV) test were conducted to simulate the in-situ pavement aging. In addition, a test road was constructed for this study to investigate the real aging process in the field. Comparable data were shown between field binders and laboratory binders aged at temperature 60°C under pressure 20 kg/cm². The aging time of asphalts in PAV depended on how long pavements were used in the field. This paper was to determine the temperature and pressure used for PAV to simulate aging condition in the field. A good correlation between field-service and laboratory aging during test road project was found. An aging model was proposed to predict the changes in paving binder’s properties during field age hardening. Results were shown to give a close fit with experimental data from both laboratory and field aging tests. This model allowed highway engineers to quantify two essential characteristics of binder aging: the aging rate and the ultimate degree of changes in binder properties due to aging.