Utilization of alkali-activated copper slag as binder in concrete

This study was focused on developing concrete using alkali-activated copper slag (AACS) as a binder. The properties of alkali-activated copper slag concrete (AACSC) were compared with portland cement concrete (PCC). Different AACSC mixes were prepared with varying Na₂O dosage (6% and 8% of the binder by weight) and curing methods. Hydration products in AACSC were retrieved using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) techniques. The test results indicate that the workability of AACSC was lesser than that of PCC. The AACSC mix with 6% Na₂O dosage has exhibited similar mechanical properties as that of PCC. The mechanical properties of AACSC were higher than PCC when 8% of Na₂O dosage was used. Heat curing was effective to upgrade the strength properties of AACSC at an early age of curing, but at a later age mechanical properties of ambient cured and heat-cured AACSC were comparable. The hydration products of AACSC were not identified in XRD patterns, whereas, in FTIR spectra of AACSC some alkali-activated reaction products were reflected. The AACSC mixes were found to be more sustainable than PCC. It has been concluded that AACSC can be produced similarly to that of PCC and ambient curing is sufficient.