Temperature and activator effect on early-age reaction kinetics of alkali-activated slag binders

The early-age reaction kinetics of alkali-activated ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) binders as determined by in-situ isothermal calorimetry are discussed in this paper. Particular attention is paid to the effects of activator type (sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate) and concentration, as well as curing temperature (23 degrees C and 50 degrees C). The mechanical strength development, microstructure, and product phase composition are also discussed to provide context for the phenomena observed in the kinetics results. It is shown for both activators that elevated temperature curing greatly accelerates hydration, resulting in more rapid product formation and strength development. High-molarity sodium hydroxide activators are shown to accelerate early hydration at ambient temperature, but tend to present a barrier to advanced hydration thereby limiting the later-age strength. Elevated temperature curing is shown to remove this barrier to advanced hydration by improving solubility and diffusivity. Hydration of sodium silicate-activated slag is comparatively slow, resulting in the delayed formation of very dense products with higher mechanical strength. Increasing sodium oxide tends to accelerate hydration, resulting in improved early- and later-age strength, while increasing the silica tends to retard the reaction, resulting in slower, more complete hydration as well as improved mechanical strength. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.