Resistance to magnesium sulphate attack of binary and ternary cementless self-compacting alkali-activated mortar

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sulphate on self-compacting alkali-activated mortars (SCAAMs) produced using volcanic scoria (V), boron waste (B) and granulated blast furnace slag (G) together with alkali activators. Thus, the production of cement-free alkali-active mortar by recycling waste and reducing the CO2 effect increases the importance of this study. The fact that the waste material is provided free of charge and that V is readily available from nature provides economic advantages in the production of these mortars. In this experimental study, magnesium sulphate solution was utilized to define the sulphate resistance of SCAAMs. In binary SCAAMs, B was used with G in a ratio of NS:NH = 3.0, with an increase from 5 % to 15 %; in ternary mixtures, B was used together with G and V in the same proportions, in a ratio of NS:NH = 1.0. The tests involved immersion in 5 % magnesium sulphate solution for 1, 3 and 6 months. Mass development, compressive strength, visual inspection and microstructural changes were investigated. In general, the binary SCAAMs performed better in magnesium sulphate solution than the ternary SCAAMs, except in the 6th month. Considering the samples with the highest B content, a 100 % loss of compressive strength occurred in the B15G85 sample under the influence of sulphate for 6 months, while a loss of compressive strength of about 15 % occurred in the B15G40V45 sample. The results showed that the increase in B content caused a severe deterioration of the sulphate effect in the samples over time and that the V additive had a positive effect on the sulphate resistance.