Study of a binder based on alkaline activated limestone

Binders based on the alkaline activation of raw materials is a subject of increasing importance for construction. This study focuses on a new non-hydraulic binder based on the alkali-activation of limestone by an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. An optimized mortar of about 20 MPa compressive strength, made with siliceous sand, was studied by XRD, FTIR and SEM-EDX analyses showing that crystalline pirssonite and portlandite are the reaction products responsible of the cohesive capacity of the binder. A methodology based on thermal gravimetric analysis was applied to quantify the products formed and the consumption of reagents with high reliability.

Automated summary

Binders based on the alkaline activation of limestone show promising results in terms of compressive strength, with Yap pirssonite and portlandite identified as the key reaction products responsible for the cohesive capacity. Thermal gravimetric analysis provides a reliable method to quantify the products formed and the consumption of reagents.