scholarly journals Role of Curing Conditions and Precursor on the Microstructure and Phase Chemistry of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash and Slag Pastes

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1918
Author(s):  
Marija Nedeljković ◽  
Bahman Ghiassi ◽  
Guang Ye

Understanding the role of curing conditions on the microstructure and phase chemistry of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is essential for the evaluation of the long-term performance as well as the optimization of the processing methods for achieving more durable AAMs-based concretes. However, this information cannot be obtained with the common material characterization techniques as they often deliver limited information on the chemical domains and proportions of reaction products. This paper presents the use of PhAse Recognition and Characterization (PARC) software to overcome this obstacle for the first time. A single precursor (ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS)) and a binary precursor (50% GBFS–50% fly ash) alkali-activated paste are investigated. The pastes are prepared and then cured in sealed and unsealed conditions for up to one year. The development of the microstructure and phase chemistry are investigated with PARC, and the obtained results are compared with independent bulk analytical techniques X-ray Powder Fluorescence and X-ray Powder Diffraction. PARC allowed the determination of the type of reaction products and GBFS and FA’s spatial distribution and degree of reaction at different curing ages and conditions. The results showed that the pastes react at different rates with the dominant reaction products of Mg-rich gel around GBFS particles, i.e., Ca-Mg-Na-Al-Si, and with Ca-Na-Al-Si gel, in the bulk paste. The microstructure evolution was significantly affected in the unsealed curing conditions due to the Na+ loss. The effect of the curing conditions was more pronounced in the binary system.

2018 ◽  
Vol 199 ◽  
pp. 02025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor J. G. Gluth ◽  
Petr Hlaváček ◽  
Steffi Reinemann ◽  
Gino Ebell ◽  
Jürgen Mietz

Alkali-activated fly ash mortars were studied with regard to durability-relevant transport coefficients and the electrochemical behaviour of embedded carbon steel bars on exposure of the mortars to leaching, carbonation and chloride penetration environments. The transport coefficients differed considerably between different formulations, being lowest for a mortar with BFS addition, but still acceptable for one of the purely fly ash-based mortars. Leaching over a period of ~300 days in de-ionized water did not lead to observable corrosion of the embedded steel, as shown by the electrochemical data and visual inspection of the steel. Exposure to 100 % CO2 atmosphere caused steel depassivation within approx. two weeks; in addition, indications of a deterioration of the mortar were observed. The results are discussed in the context of the different reaction products expected in highand low-Ca alkali-activated binders, and the alterations caused by leaching and carbonation.


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 2089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Xing ◽  
Yingliang Zhao ◽  
Jingping Qiu ◽  
Xiaogang Sun

This paper investigated the effect of blast furnace slags (BFS) characteristics on the properties achievement after being alkali activated. The physical and chemical characteristics of BFS were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and laser granulometry. Multi-technical characterizations using calorimetry, XRD, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nitrogen sorption and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) were applied to give an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the reaction products, microstructure and BFS characteristics. The test results show that the microstructure and mechanical properties of alkali activated blast furnace slags (BFS) highly depend on the characteristics of BFS. Although the higher content of basic oxide could accelerate the hydration process and result in higher mechanical properties, a poor thermal stabilization was observed. On the other hand, with a higher content of Fe, the hydration process in alkali activated BFS2 lasts for a longer time, contributing to a delayed compressive strength achievement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuno Cristelo ◽  
João Coelho ◽  
Mafalda Oliveira ◽  
Nilo Cesar Consoli ◽  
Ángel Palomo ◽  
...  

Mine tailings (MT) could represent a step forward in terms of the quality of the aggregates usually used in civil engineering applications, mostly due to its high density. The Portuguese Neves Corvo copper mine, owned by the Lundin Mining Corporation, produces approximately 3 million tonnes per year. Nevertheless, it cannot be used in its original state, due to its high levels of sulphur and other metals (As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn). This paper focuses on the stabilisation/solidification of high-sulphur MT, without any previous thermal treatment, using alkali-activated fly ash (FA). The variables considered were the MT/FA ratio and the activator type and concentration. A fine aggregate was then added to the pastes to assess the quality of the resulting mortar. Maximum compressive strengths of 14 MPa and 24 MPa were obtained for the pastes and mortars, respectively, after curing for 24 h at 85 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the reaction products, and two types of leaching tests were performed to assess the environmental performance. The results showed that the strength increase is related with the formation of a N-A-S-H gel, although sodium sulphate carbonate was also developed, suggesting that the total sodium intake could be optimized without strength loss. The solubility of the analysed metals in the paste with 78% MT and 22% FA was below the threshold for non-hazardous waste.


1994 ◽  
Vol 370 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.R. Brough ◽  
A. Katz ◽  
T. Bakharev ◽  
G-.K. Sun ◽  
R.J. Kirkpatrick ◽  
...  

AbstractWasteforms made by reaction at elevated temperature of a highly alkaline simulated low-level nuclear waste solution, having high sodium ion concentration, with a cementitious blend high in fly ash have been studied. Significant formation of Na-P1 zeolite (gismondine framework) and of a sodalite occurred. The time evolution of the crystalline phases over the first 28 days is reported for both adiabatic and isothermal curing, and the role of these phases in microstructure development is discussed. The level of carbonate ions in solution was found to have a substantial effect on strength evolution and chemistry.


Author(s):  
Anıl Niş ◽  
İlhan Altındal

This study investigated the influence of different curing conditions on the compressive strength (CS) of the different alkali activated concrete (AAC) specimens at the ages of 2, 28, and 90 days for the structural utilization and standardization process of AAC instead of OPC concrete. For this aim, 100% slag (S100), 75% slag and 25% fly ash (S75FA25), and 50% slag and 50% fly ash based (S50FA50) AAC specimens were produced. Based on the oven-curing (O), water-curing (W), and ambient-curing (A) methods, the influence of 2O for 2 days, 26A2O, 2O26A, 28A, 28W, 26W2O, and 2O26W for 28 days, and 88A2O, 2O88A, 90A, 88W2O, 2O88W, 90W for 90 days on the CS of the AAC were examined in details. In addition, the influence of delayed oven-curing conditions on CS development was also investigated. The results indicated that curing conditions significantly affected on the CS and the water-curing condition could provide a better CS for those of AAC at 90 days. Although, the oven-curing enhanced CS of the S100 specimens at initial ages (first oven-curing applied), delayed oven-curing (oven-curing applied later) was found significant for S75FA25 and S50FA50 specimens. The delayed oven-curing affected more on the CS of the AAC when fly ash content increased. The most of AAC specimens with oven-curing had significantly enhanced the CS at 28 days, but S50FA50 at the age of 90 days decreased. Different curing regimes were proposed for the superior compressive strength values for each AAC specimens at the ages of 28 and 90 days.


Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henryk R. Parzentny ◽  
Leokadia Róg

Based on the results of tests on feed coal from the Lublin Coal and Upper Silesian Coal Basin and its fly ash and slag carried out using X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis, atomic emission spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, it was found that in feeds, coal Th is associated with phosphates and U with mineral matter. The highest Th content was found in anhedral grains of monazite and in Al-Si porous particles of fly ash of <0.05 mm size; whereas in the slag, Th is concentrated in the massive Al-Si grains and in ferrospheres. U is mainly concentrated in the Al-Si surface of porous grains, which form a part of fly ash of <0.05 mm size. In the slag, U is to be found in the Al-Si massive grains or in a dispersed form in non-magnetic and magnetic grains. Groups of mineral phase particles have been identified that have the greatest impact on the content of Th and U in whole fly ash and slag. The research results contained in this article may be important for predicting the efficiency of Th and U leaching from furnace waste storage sites and from falling dusts to soils and waters.


1960 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 890-898
Author(s):  
Stephen H. Laning ◽  
Melvin P. Wagner ◽  
John W. Sellers

Abstract Zinc oxide is a necessary component in most accelerator-sulfur vulcanization systems. While it is not an accelerator, its presence leads to increased modulus, i.e., tighter cures. The manner in which it can effect this better cure is not completely clear. Some insight into the role of zinc oxide has been gained through the analysis of the vulcanizate for reaction products of zinc, such as zinc stearate, the zinc salts of the accelerators, and zinc sulfide. However, these products may not account for all of the zinc oxide which has reacted. An analytical method for the direct determination of unreacted zinc oxide in vulcanizates was therefore needed. The determination of zinc oxide in rubber vulcanizates has received scant attention. Wet-chemical techniques for analysis of the sample after ashing provide only the total amount of zinc from which the amount of unreacted zinc oxide cannot be determined. Endter has reported the use of the Debye-Scherrer x-ray technique for the identification of zinc oxide in rubber samples. While similar to the method developed in this laboratory, Endter employed photographic film for recording the diffraction pattern, and special sample preparation was required to accommodate the photographic technique. This method was satisfactory for qualitative identification of zinc oxide, but was difficult to use for quantitative analysis. Subsequent to this investigation Hagino et al. described the use of x-ray diffractometry for the determination of the mixing ratio of ingredients compounded in rubber. This method was also suggested for the quantitative analysis of zinc oxide, but no studies were reported. During a study in this laboratory to determine the role of zinc oxide in the vulcanization of rubber, a new analytical method, based on x-ray diffractometry, was developed. The method was rapid, nondestructive, and simple. The data were reliable and accurate.


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