Influence of low calcium fly ash on compressive strength and hydration product of low energy super sulfated cement paste

摘要

This research aims to explore the effects of low calcium Class F fly ash (FFA) as an alumina supplier on the compressive strength and hydration products of an ecological super-sulfated cement (SSC) with fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) fly ash (CFA) as a crucial activator. Experimental results showed that partial replacement of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS/slag) by FFA in range of 10-30 wt% significantly improved the compressive strength of hardened eco-SSC paste. Microstructural examination using scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy obviously proved that the main hydration products of the hardened paste were ettringite/monosulfate (AFt/AFm) and calcium aluminum silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H). Increase in FFA resulted in higher degree of AFt/AFm precipitation and C-A-S-H with lower Ca:(Si + Al) ratio.