Chloride penetration and binding behavior in unsaturated alkali-activated slag mortars

Abstract

A comprehensive study from detailed microstructure analyses to mass transport investigations was implemented to explore chloride penetration of unsaturated alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortars accounting for chloride binding behaviors. Unsaturated chloride penetrations reflected from diffusion cases of instantaneous plane source and sorption cases of wetting-drying exposure were elaborated in relation to solid hydrates and pore structure features. It is found that the specimen with lower saturation has a slower chloride diffusion but a larger chloride penetration under wetting-drying cycles. Slag mortars with sodium hydroxide activation exhibit higher chloride binding capacity owing to more hydrotalcite-like phases and higher Ca/Si ratio of C-(N-)A-S-H gels in the outer product zones as compared to sodium silicate activated slag mortars, regardless of the saturation. Accelerations of the chloride penetration under the wetting-drying exposure are limited in saturated AAS specimens while for unsaturated AAS specimens more wetting-drying cycles result in the inner layers to be gradually diffusion-controlled. The chloride binding capacity of AAS specimens follows Langmuir's isotherm and clearly decreases with a lower saturation. It is advised to consider the electrical double layer effect within narrow pores when applying rapid chloride migration tests for AAS systems.