Correlation between Slag Reactivity and Cement Paste Properties: The Influence of Slag Chemistry
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 3
Abstract
The properties of slag-rich cement paste are fundamentally associated with slag chemistry. In the present research, 10 slags covering the common chemistry range, including eight synthetic slags of system and two commercial slags, were adopted to evaluate the influence of slag composition on the early (7 days) and later (3 months) age properties of blended paste. Mixture containing slag performed better at 7 days as it favored the formation of ettringite and/or monosulfate. The MgO-rich slag cement paste exhibited good properties at both early and later ages, and it effectively promoted the precipitation of Mg-Al hydrotalcite-like phase. It was also noted that the atomic ratio of hydrotalcite-like phase was positively related to the atomic ratio of slag itself. Conversely, with the increasing MgO content in slag, the Al/Si atomic ratio of C─ S(A)─ H gel phase decreased. High and/or MgO contents can compensate the negative effect of reduced ratio at early age while not at later age. Overall, attention should be paid to aluminum- and sulfur-rich slags. These two elements in slag promoted the formation of ettringite and/or monosulfate at an early age; however, this positive effect disappeared at later ages.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Authors thank Arjan Thijssen (Microlab, TU Delft) for his technical support. Jeanette van den Bos (BAM Infraconsult B.V.) and René Albers (Ecocem Benelux B.V.) are gratefully acknowledged for the technical discussions and providing commercial slags.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 3 • March 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 29, 2023
Accepted: Aug 28, 2023
Published online: Dec 27, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 27, 2024
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