Alkaline activation of synthetic aluminosilicate glass

The alkali activation of aluminosilicates is a procedure for obtaining new binders with many of the same properties as traditional portland cement. The type and characteristics of the products formed, however, and consequently their mechanical performance, are conditioned by a number of parameters. The present study explored the potential reactivity of synthetic alkaline silicoaluminates alkali-activated at high temperatures by analysing parameters such as the chemical composition of the starting material and the vitreous phase content. When alkali-activated, the glass produced in the laboratory developed high mechanical strength, while the performance of the resulting binders was conditioned by the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio in the starting materials. The optimal values were observed to lie between 3 and 4. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.