Evaluation of cements obtained by alkali-activated coal ash with NaOH cured at low temperatures

A. A. Hoyos-Montilla; Y. P. Arias-Jaramillo; J. I. Tobón

doi:10.3989/mc.2018.10117

Authors

A. A. Hoyos-Montilla Cement and Building Materials Group, Department of Materials and Minerals, Faculty of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5115-7233
Y. P. Arias-Jaramillo Cement and Building Materials Group, Department of Materials and Minerals, Faculty of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8988-6295
J. I. Tobón Cement and Building Materials Group, Department of Materials and Minerals, Faculty of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1451-1309

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2018.10117

Keywords:

Fly ash, Temperature, Alkali-activated cement, Particles size distribution, Compressive strength

Abstract

The temperature at which the alkaline activation process takes place is a significant factor in the evolution of the mechanical properties of coal ash cementitious base material. In this work, the influence of temperature (8 a 38 °C) and curing time (3 and 28 days) on the mechanical properties of the alkaline synthesis of two coal ashes was evaluated through the study of the mineralogical evolution of the cementitious phases by XRD and FTIR. We found that the type of zeolite, a synthesis product, depends on the study factors. For values above 28 °C and at least 7 days, alkalinely activated cements with compressive strength above 20 MPa were achieved. Other parameters, such as SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio, percentage of unburned coal and particle-size distribution, should be taken into account in the variation of mechanical performance.

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