Reactivity and mechanical properties of alkali activated blast furnace slag

Investigations were carried out to characterize the reactivity and mechanical properties in blast furnace slag pastes activated by 5 alkali systems such as NaOH, waterglass and combinations of Na2CO3, Na2SO4 y Ca(OH)(2) in concentrations of 5%. Cubes of 5cm were prepared and cured under water for up to 120 days at 20 and 60degreesC. The highest compressive strengths were noted for the waterglass activation, followed by one of the combination of 3 compounds, while NaOH activation resulted in the lowest strengths. Increased temperatures favored the strength for the waterglass activation, outperforming those of the Portland cement paste used as control at all times, whereas it had a negative effect for all other activations. The reactivity of the systems, as obtained by measurements of non evaporable water and selective chemical dissolution, indicated that the slag is more reactive under the NaOH activation. Scanning electron microscopy by means of backscattered electrons confirmed the different reactivities and the mechanical properties observed.