Microstructure Features of Ternary Alkali-activated Binder Based on Tungsten Mining Waste, Slag and Metakaolin

Abstract

This study determines the effect of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and metakaolin (MK) on the microstructural properties of the tungsten mining waste-based alkali-activated binder (TMWM). During this investigation, TMWM was partially replaced with 10 wt.% GGBFS and 10 wt.% MK to improve the microstructure of the binder. In order to understand the effect of the substitutions on the microstructure, two pastes were produced to make a comparative study between the sample contain 100% TMWM and the ternary precursors. Both precursors were activated using a combination of alkaline activator solutions (sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide) with the ratio of 1:3 (66.6 wt.% sodium silicate combined with 33.33 wt.% of NaOH 8M). The alkali-activated mixes were cured in oven at temperature of 60 °C in the first day and at room temperature for the next 27 days. The reaction products N-A-S-H gel and (N,M)-A-S-H gel resulted from the alkaline activation reaction process. In addition, a formation of natrite (Na2CO3) with needles shape occurred as a reaction product of the fluorescence phenomena. However, a dense matrix resulted from the alkline activation of the ternary precursors containg different gels such as N-A-S-H, C-A-S-H and (N,M)-C-A-S-H gel, these results were obtained through SEM-EDS analyses, as well FTIR tests.


Keywords: Mining Waste, Alkali-activated, Microstructure, Slag, Metakaolin

References
[1] Humbert P. S. and Castro-Gomes, J. (2019). CO2 activated steel slag-based materials: A review. J. Clean. Prod., vol. 208, pp. 448–457.

[2] Sedira, N., et al. (2017). A review on mineral waste for chemical-activated binders: mineralogical and chemical characteristics. Min. Sci., vol. 24, pp. 29–58.

[3] Pacheco-Torgal, F., Castro-Gomes, J. and Jalali, S. (2009). Tungsten mine waste geopolymeric binder: Preliminary hydration products investigations. Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 23, pp. 200–209.

[4] Sedira, N. and Castro-Gomes, J. (2018). Study of an alkali-activated binder based on tungsten mining mud and brick powder waste. 8th Sci. Conf. Mater. Probl. Civ. Eng., vol. 6002, pp. 1–8.

[5] Abdalqader, A., Jin, F. and Al-Tabbaa, A. (2015). Development of greener alkali-activated cement: Utilisation of sodium carbonate for activating slag and fly ash mixtures. J. Clean. Prod., vol. 113, pp. 66–75.

[6] Sedira, N. and Castro-Gomes, J. (2017). Effects of EAF-S on alkali-activation of tungsten mining waste: mechanical properties. in REMINE - International Conference & Brokerage Event (RICON17) - UBI, Covilha, Portugal, 2017, vol. 1003, pp. 1–6.

[7] Sedira, N. and Castro-Gomes, J. (2018). Strength and microstructure of tungsten mining waste-based hybrid alkaline material: effect of activators. in Proceedings of the 12th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering, 2018, pp. 145–152.

[8] Bignozzi, M. C., et al. (2013). Mix-design and characterization of alkali activated materials based on metakaolin and ladle slag. Appl. Clay Sci., vol. 73, issue 1, pp. 78–85.

[9] Kastiukas G. and Zhou, X. (2017). Effects of waste glass on alkali-activated tungsten mining waste: composition and mechanical properties. Mater. Struct. Constr., vol. 50.

[10] Zhang, Z., et al. (2014). Fly ash-based geopolymers: The relationship between composition, pore structure and efflorescence. Cem. Concr. Res., vol. 64, pp. 30–41.

[11] Puligilla S. and Mondal, P. (2013). Role of slag in microstructural development and hardening of fly ash-slag geopolymer. Cem. Concr. Res., vol. 43, issue 1, pp. 70–80.

[12] García-Lodeiro I. and Palomo, A. (2013). Variation in hybrid cements over time. Alkaline activation of fl y ash – portland cement blends. Cem. Concr. Res., vol. 52, pp. 112–122.

[13] García-Lodeiro, I., et al. (2010). Effect of Calcium Additions on N–A–S–H Cementitious Gels. Am. Ceram. Soc., vol. 1940, pp. 1934–1940.

[14] Sedira, N., Castro-Gomes, J. and Magrinho, M. (2018). Red clay brick and tungsten mining waste-based alkali-activated binder: Microstructural and mechanical properties. Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 190, pp. 1034–1048.

[15] Liu, J., et al. (2017). Blast furnace slag obtained from dry granulation method as a component in slag cement. Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 131, pp. 381–387.

[16] Reig, L.et al. (2016). Influence of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) on alkaline activation of red clay brick waste (RCBW). Cem. Concr. Compos., vol. 65, pp. 177–185.

[17] Sedira, N. and Castro-Gomes, J. (2010). Effect of activators on hybrid alkaline binder based on tungsten mining waste and ground granulated blast furnace slag. Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 232, p. 117176.

[18] García-Lodeiro, I., et al. (2008). FTIR study of the sol – gel synthesis of cementitious gels: C – S – H and N – A – S – H. J. Sol-Gel Sci. Technol., pp. 63–72.