Effects of Low-Temperature Environment on the Mechanical Properties and Crystal Characteristics of Alkali-Slag-Cementitious Materials

In this paper, the development of mechanical properties of alkali-activated slag under a low temperature was studied. The mechanism of the alkali-activated condensation reaction and the damage mechanism under a low-temperature environment were analyzed in detail. Further, the formation and growth ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Guodong Huang, Chengcheng Wang, Houmin Mei, Fengan Zhang, Qi Lu, Yonghao Huang, Zijian Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Crystals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/3/218
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Summary:In this paper, the development of mechanical properties of alkali-activated slag under a low temperature was studied. The mechanism of the alkali-activated condensation reaction and the damage mechanism under a low-temperature environment were analyzed in detail. Further, the formation and growth characteristics of alkali-activated slag crystals in a low-temperature environment, as well as the microstructure formation, development, and evolution, were examined by microscopic analyses. Results showed that the early-age compressive strength of developed composites significantly decreased with decreasing curing temperature, while the later compressive strength development lagged. The lower the temperature, the more pronounced the lag phenomenon. At 0 °C, the 28-day compressive strength still reaches 38.7 MPa. At −10 °C, the condensation reaction can continue, and the compressive strength continues to develop. The low temperature inhibits the formation and growth of calcium silicate and aluminum silicate mineral crystals, resulting in a decreased efficiency of condensation reaction and continuous deterioration of microstructure, which leads to reduced compressive strength.
ISSN:2073-4352