Effect of Alkalis on Tricalcium Silicate Hydration with and without Incorporating Metakaolin
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 3
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of alkalis on hydration with and without incorporating aluminate phases. Pastes of 100% and 90% metakaolin (MK) were prepared at 1%, 2%, and 3% content. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the solid phase assemblages, and then the hydration degree of . Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to analyze the aqueous composition of pore solution. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was used to measure the porosity of the hydrated pastes. The results highlighted the promoting effect of Na and the inhibiting effect of Al in pore solution on hydration after a period of curing (90 days). Without incorporating metakaolin, the hydration degree of continuously increased with the increase of Na concentration. Incorporating metakaolin into can generate aluminate hydrates (carboaluminates, in this study), and the increased Na concentration can increase the dissolution or instability of carboaluminates and elevate the equilibrium Al concentration. Under this condition, the hydration degree of fluctuated depending on the combined effect of Na and Al concentrations in pore solution on hydration.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant No. 52078491).
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 3 • March 2024
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 24, 2023
Accepted: Aug 30, 2023
Published online: Dec 29, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 29, 2024
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