The frost resistance of alkali-activated cement-based binders

Abstract

This chapter presents the susceptibility of alkali-activated binders to freeze-thaw cycles, which could lead to internal cracking and/or surface scaling. Since alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are porous, the action of frost cannot be neglected. After having described the forms of frost damage and the mechanisms and significant parameters of frost action, a synthesis of the results found in the literature regarding frost resistance of alkali-activated binders based on slag, fly ash and metakaolin is presented. AAM can suffer from internal cracking and surface scaling but alkali-activated binders generally tend to be less affected by frost than Portland cement. The porous network, especially the air entrained properties, seems to be important, as for Portland cement concrete.