Mineralization dynamics of metakaolin-based alkali-activated cements

Cement and Concrete Research
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Abstract

This paper investigates the early-age dynamics of mineral formation in metakaolin-based alkali-activated cements. The effects of silica availability and alkali content on mineral formation were investigated via X-ray diffraction and solid-state 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 2, 7, 14, and 28 days. Silica availability was controlled by using either liquid- (immediate) or solid-based (gradual) sodium silicate supplements. Mineral (zeolitic) and amorphous microstructural characteristics were correlated with observed changes in bulk physical properties, namely shrinkage, density, and porosity. Results demonstrate that, while alkali content controls the mineralization in immediately available silica systems, alkali content controls the silica availability in gradually available silica systems. Immediate silica availability generally leads to a more favorable mineral formation as demonstrated by correlated improvements in bulk physical properties.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Mineralization dynamics of metakaolin-based alkali-activated cements
Series title Cement and Concrete Research
DOI 10.1016/j.cemconres.2017.01.001
Volume 94
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) National Research Program - Central Branch
Description 12 p.
First page 1
Last page 12
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