Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical Properties

Alkali-activated binders are gaining importance in the construction industry because of their environmental and mechanical advantages. This paper focuses on selective limestone activation (SLA) using aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions to be used as a non-hydraulic binder material. This study investi...

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Main Authors: Mursaleen Shahid, Alexandre Pierre, Annelise Cousture, Vincenzo M. Sglavo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4453
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author Mursaleen Shahid
Alexandre Pierre
Annelise Cousture
Vincenzo M. Sglavo
author_facet Mursaleen Shahid
Alexandre Pierre
Annelise Cousture
Vincenzo M. Sglavo
author_sort Mursaleen Shahid
collection DOAJ
description Alkali-activated binders are gaining importance in the construction industry because of their environmental and mechanical advantages. This paper focuses on selective limestone activation (SLA) using aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions to be used as a non-hydraulic binder material. This study investigates the mechanical performance of 3D-printed specimens cured at 45 °C produced with different NaOH concentrations. Varying the NaOH concentration is significant for analyzing its role in optimizing the reactivity and mechanical behavior for additive manufacturing applications. The results show that mechanical strength and physical properties are influenced by the NaOH concentration, with the strength decreasing at higher sodium hydroxide loads. Although porosity and density are consistent in all concentrations, microstructure examination showed non-homogeneous grainy texture.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
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spelling doaj-art-c7c743191dca4946b3daf7c99f1836e02025-08-20T03:14:16ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01158445310.3390/app15084453Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical PropertiesMursaleen Shahid0Alexandre Pierre1Annelise Cousture2Vincenzo M. Sglavo3Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, ItalyLaboratoire de Mécanique et Matériaux du Génie Civil, CY Cergy Paris Université, F-95000 Cergy, FranceLaboratoire de Mécanique et Matériaux du Génie Civil, CY Cergy Paris Université, F-95000 Cergy, FranceDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, ItalyAlkali-activated binders are gaining importance in the construction industry because of their environmental and mechanical advantages. This paper focuses on selective limestone activation (SLA) using aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions to be used as a non-hydraulic binder material. This study investigates the mechanical performance of 3D-printed specimens cured at 45 °C produced with different NaOH concentrations. Varying the NaOH concentration is significant for analyzing its role in optimizing the reactivity and mechanical behavior for additive manufacturing applications. The results show that mechanical strength and physical properties are influenced by the NaOH concentration, with the strength decreasing at higher sodium hydroxide loads. Although porosity and density are consistent in all concentrations, microstructure examination showed non-homogeneous grainy texture.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/44533D printinglimestonemechanical propertiesselective limestone activationNaOH concentrations
spellingShingle Mursaleen Shahid
Alexandre Pierre
Annelise Cousture
Vincenzo M. Sglavo
Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical Properties
Applied Sciences
3D printing
limestone
mechanical properties
selective limestone activation
NaOH concentrations
title Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical Properties
title_full Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical Properties
title_fullStr Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical Properties
title_full_unstemmed Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical Properties
title_short Selective Alkali Activation of Limestone for Additive Manufacturing in Construction: Influence of Alkali Concentration on Physical and Mechanical Properties
title_sort selective alkali activation of limestone for additive manufacturing in construction influence of alkali concentration on physical and mechanical properties
topic 3D printing
limestone
mechanical properties
selective limestone activation
NaOH concentrations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4453
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AT annelisecousture selectivealkaliactivationoflimestoneforadditivemanufacturinginconstructioninfluenceofalkaliconcentrationonphysicalandmechanicalproperties
AT vincenzomsglavo selectivealkaliactivationoflimestoneforadditivemanufacturinginconstructioninfluenceofalkaliconcentrationonphysicalandmechanicalproperties