Impact of Activator Mix Proportions on Hydration Process and Early-age Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag Binder
YANG Kai1, ZHANG Zhilu1, YANG Yong1, HAN Hao2, HUANG Wencong1, ZHU Xiaohong1, TANG Desha1, LI Shuang1, YANG Changhui1
1 College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045; 2 China Communications 2nd Navigational Bureau 2nd Engineering Co., Ltd., Chongqing 401121
Abstract: The effect of four different activators (water glass, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide) on slag and early-age perfor-mance of alkali-activated slag binder were studied by mixture design. The hydration process of AAS was analysed by isothermal carlorimetry, X-ray diffraction and Thermogravimetry. The obtained results indicated that when alkali concentration and water to binder ratio kept constant, the initial fluidity of AAS mortar could be regulated only in the range of 100—130 mm by activator mix proportions, while the compressive strength development of AAS mortar was strongly affected. The effect of sodium hydroxide on slag was significant before 3 d, while water glass governed compressive strength development after 3 d. The interactions between different activators were found mainly significant at early stage (before 3 d). Compared with sample activated by water glass, when 1.5% sodium carbonate was used to replace the same Na2O concentration of water glass, the hydration process was delayed. The addition of 3% calcium hydroxide, 1.5% sodium hydroxide and 3% sodium hydroxide could accelerate the hydration process of AAS at 1 d and 3 d respectively, but both reduced the hydration process at 28 d. Furthermore, equations derived from ANOVA regression analysis offered approaches to optimize the AAS hydration process through varying activator types and their proportions.
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