Chemical and Microstructural Effects of Different Calcinating Temperatures on Selected Pozzolans

摘要

Recent researches show that agricultural wastes can be reuse as pozolans;this contributes to our environmental sustenance. The need to successful carry out proper analysis contributes significantly to improving the overall use of the discovered pozolans. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the micro-structural and chemical analysis of some selected pozzolans at different calcinating temperatures. Rich husk ash (RHA), groundnut shell ash (GSA), locust beans pod ash (LBPA) and bamboo leaf ash (BLA) were obtained;their chemical and microstructural analysis at different calcinating temperatures (500°C, 600°C and 700°C) were carried out using X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the optimum calcinating temperatures considering the microstructure and chemical composition of RHA, BLA and LBPA were 700°C, 500°C and 600°C respectively. These pozzolans were also classified according to ASTM 618 requirement.