Décalcification resistance of various alkali-activated materials

The resistance of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) to degradation processes, particularly the decalcification, was studied in this paper. The ground granulated blast furnace slag was alkali-activated using various activators with the same activator dosage 6% Na2O by slag weight (sodium hydroxide, sodium waterglass and sodium carbonate) and subjected to testing of decalcification resistance (immersion in 6M NH4 NO3) for 84 days. The reference samples were stored in water. The progress of degradation was studied using the phenolphthalein technique, mechanical properties testing (compressive and flexural strength), and dilatometry analysis or weight measurements. The results obtained were compared to the CEM III/A 32.5R. The significant loss of mass along with the deterioration of mechanical properties were observed for all binder types, still some of the AAMs showed better durability than the cementitious one.

Effect of alkali cation type on the plasticizing effect of ligno-sulfonate in alkali-activated systems

The rheological properties of alkali-activated systems are significantly affected by the nature of the alkaline activator. Hydroxide-activated systems’ workability is typically lower than that of alkali-activated systems but can be improved by lignosulfonate plasticizer. However, the lignosulfonate plasticizer’s effectivity depends on the dosage of lignosulfonate, the nature of hydroxide and pH of their solutions. Therefore, in this study, the effectiveness of lignosulfonate plasticizer with respect to alkali ion type (Na+, K+, Li+) in alkali hydroxide-activated systems based on ground granulated blast furnace slag was evaluated. The concentration of the alkaline activator (NaOH, KOH and LiOH) was the same in all cases of 4M. The superplasticizer dosage was 0%, 0.5% and 1.0% of dry matter of lignosulfonate plasticizer to the slag weight. Rheological properties were determined using a rotational rheometer equipped with vane in-cup geometry working in oscillation amplitude sweep mode, from which critical strain and corresponding viscoelastic variables were obtained.

Influence of Activator Na2O Concentration on Residual Strengths of Alkali-Activated Slag Mortar upon Exposure to Elevated Temperatures

The mechanical strength variation of ambient cured Alkali-activated mortar (AAS) upon exposure to elevated temperatures from 200 to 1200 °C was studied in this article. Slag was activated by the combination of sodium silicate liquid (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with different Na2O concentrations of 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% by slag weight. Mechanical properties comprising compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength before and after exposure were measured. Thermogravimetric analysis (Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Derivative thermogravimetric (DTG)), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were also used for strength alteration explanation. The results indicated that Na2O concentration influence on strength variation of AAS mortar was observed clearly at temperature range from ambient temperature to 200 °C. The melting alteration of AAS mortar after exposed to 1200 °C was highly dependent on concentrations of Na2O.

A numerical analysis as a good tool for a prediction of final sulphur steel ladle content

This work presents the industrial results of sulfur level prediction at the end of vacuum degassing (VD) of low carbon Al-Si killed steels. The effect of plant conditions, such as slag chemistry, temperature, oxygen levels of the molten steel, and slag weight on desulphurization was investigated based on the measured results and thermodynamic calculations. The variables which influence steel desulfurization such as the sulfur capacity, the initial sulfur content, and the amount of ladle slag at the end of the VD process are also defined. The desulfurization procedure was numerically analyzed using the results of 31 heats under real plant conditions in which the measured final sulfur content had been reduced to less than of 10 ppm. A method for prediction of the slag amount based on the material balance of sulfur and aluminum is also presented. The values of the sulfur capacity were determined according to the well-known KTH and optical basicity based models. The obtained results of the regression equation show a predictive final sulfur level ability of R=0.911. This was proved as satisfactory.