Effect of magnetized water on alkali-activated slag mortars incorporating raw and calcined marble powder

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of magnetized water (MW) on the fresh and hardened properties of alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortars incorporating raw marble powder (RMP) and calcined marble powder (CMP). In the initial stage of the study, control specimens were manufactured to ascertain the optimal parameters for molarity, curing temperature, and curing time. The optimal parameters were determined based on the highest strength results: a molarity of 10, curing time of 24 hours, and curing temperature of 110 ℃. In the second stage of the study, while maintaining these optimal parameters, RMP and CMP were substituted in place of blast furnace slag (BFS) at rates of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. In this study stage, tap water (TW) and MW were employed as the mixing water. A mini-slump test was conducted to assess the fresh state properties of the prepared AAS mortars. Subsequently, ultrasonic pulse velocity (Upv), flexural strength (ff), and compressive strength (fc) tests were carried out to evaluate the hardened state properties of the specimens. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed to examine microstructural properties. According to the results, the ff and fc values of the mortars produced with CMP substitution using TW showed an increase of up to 20.6% compared to the mortars based on RMP and produced withTW. Additionally, utilizing MW as the mixing water enhanced the workability of AAS mortars. Consequently, incorporating CMP and MW in AAS mortars further improved fresh and hardened state properties compared to RMP and TW.