Water content modifies the structural development of sodium metasilicate-activated slag binders

  • S. A. Bernal Department of Materials Science & Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
  • R. San Nicolas Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
  • J. S. J. Van Deventer Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia Zeobond Pty Ltd, P.O. Box 23450, Docklands, Victoria 8012, Australia
  • J. L. Provis Department of Materials Science & Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21041/ra.v5i1.75
Keywords: alkali-activated slag, water content, calorimetry, X-ray diffraction

Abstract

The effect of modifying the water content of an alkali-activated slag binder was assessed, in terms of the kinetics of reaction and the structural development of the material. There is not a systematic correlation between the water content of the mix and the rate of reaction, indicating that there is an optimal value that favours dissolution of the slag and precipitation of reaction products. A higher water content reduced the crystallinity and density of the reaction products, especially at advanced age. Small changes in the water content can have a significant impact on the compressive strength development of alkali-silicate activated slag mortars, suggesting that when producing materials based on alkali-activated binders, it is essential to carefully control the water content.

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Published
2015-01-30
How to Cite
Bernal, S. A., San Nicolas, R., Van Deventer, J. S. J., & Provis, J. L. (2015). Water content modifies the structural development of sodium metasilicate-activated slag binders. Revista ALCONPAT, 5(1), 31 - 43. https://doi.org/10.21041/ra.v5i1.75
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2015)
Section
Basic Research

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