TY - JOUR AU - Chen, P. AU - Chen, Q. AU - Fang, Y. AU - Wang, C. AU - Wang, X. AU - Li, J. AU - Wang, Y. PY - 2023/03/06 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Preparation of shrinkage-free alkali-activated slag material using MgO as both the activator and the expansive agent JF - Materiales de Construcción JA - Mater. constr. VL - 73 IS - 349 SE - Research Articles DO - 10.3989/mc.2023.297022 UR - https://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc/article/view/3493 SP - e306 AB - <p>Alkali-activated slag (AAS) materials activated by NaOH or waterglass has been long-term criticized for the developed substantial shrinkage. To this regard, this paper explored MgO as both an activator and an expansive agent to prepare shrinkage-free AAS. The setting time, mechanical strength, pore structure, autogenous shrinkage, drying shrinkage, and hydration products of MgO-activated AAS were studied. Experimental results confirmed that MgO can effectively mitigate the autogenous shrinkage and drying shrinkage of AAS via the expansive deformation caused by Mg(OH)<sub>2</sub>. Generally, AAS with a higher dosage of MgO developed less shrinkages and refiner pore structures with more gel pores. An optimal dosage of 9% MgO is recommended to prepare AAS with near zero shrinkage and the highest flexural strength.</p> ER -