Effect of Fineness on Engineering Properties of Alkali-activated GGBFS Paste

摘要

The effect of fineness of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) on engineering properties of alkali activated GGBFS has been investigated. The paste was produced by activating blast furnace slag with sodium silicate and potassium hydroxide solution. Seven types of GGBFS finenesses were used in the present study. The effect of fineness on engineering properties such as bulk density, porosity, water absorption, sorptivity and compressive strength were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for characterizing the mixes and studying their microstructure. The investigation done by scanning electron microscopy confirm that smaller blast furnace slag particles react to a great extent while the larger ones react partially with alkaline activator and contribute to the formation of composite microstructure.