Evaluation of Slag-Blended Alkaline-Activated Palm Oil Fuel Ash Mortar Exposed to the Sulfuric Acid Environment
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 12
Abstract
The performance of alkaline activated ground slag/ultrafine palm oil fuel ash (AAGU) mortars upon their exposure to 6% of (acid) for 60 days was investigated. The mortars were prepared with of varied concentrations and () activators and then cured at a temperature of 60°C for 24 h. The findings through strength, microstructural examination, and product characterization revealed that sulfuric acid attack could cause the disintegration of microstructure through the removal of the key elements—Ca, Mg, Na and Al—which resulted in the formation of gypsum, expansive shrinkage cracks, and a reduction in strength retention. Maintaining the slag content, concentration of , ratio, and the mixing water content in the range of 20–40 wt.%, 8–10 M, 1.0–2.5, 5–10 wt.% of the pozzolanic materials (PMs), respectively could enhance the resistance of AAGU mortar subjected to sulfuric acid attack.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Universiti Sains Malaysia for providing financial support for this research work through the Research University Grant Scheme (1001/PAWAM/814191). The support from the Centre for Engineering Research, Research Institute, and Project Department of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia are specially acknowledged. Thanks are also due to United Palm Oil Industries and Southern Steel Company for providing the palm oil fuel ash and steel slag, respectively.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 12 • December 2015
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 12, 2014
Accepted: Feb 19, 2015
Published online: May 7, 2015
Discussion open until: Oct 7, 2015
Published in print: Dec 1, 2015
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