Work

Effects of Incorporating Iron-Rich Slag on the Performance of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement: Strength Development, Hydration Mechanisms and Microstructure

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Using solid waste from the non-ferrous metal industry as non-traditional supplementary cementitious material has attracted increasing attention. In this study, iron-rich slag (IRS) was incorporated into calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSC) to improve its properties, and its strength development and hydration mechanism were systematically evaluated. Three types of IRS with distinct particle size characteristics were fabricated through mechanical grinding, and their effects on the strength development and hydration heat evolution of CSC-based materials were investigated. Furthermore, several solid-phase analysis methods were employed to characterize the hydration mechanisms and microstructural characteristics of IRS-containing CSC-based materials. The results show that mechanical grinding enhances the reactivity of IRS in CSC-based systems, which in turn facilitates the generation of hydrates like ettringite (AFt), AH3, and C–S–H gel, thereby improving their strength. The incorporation of IRS effectively decreases the total hydration heat released by CSC-based materials within 24 h. Furthermore, evidence from EDS analysis suggests the possible isomorphic substitution of Al3+ by Fe3+ in AFt, which, along with the slower reaction kinetics of Fe-AFt, may contribute to the improved late-age strength development of CSC-based materials. This study proposes a sustainable strategy for producing high-performance CSC-based materials and offers a potential approach for the high-value use of non-ferrous metal industry solid waste in construction materials, thereby demonstrating both scientific value and practical engineering significance.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings15203654

Authors: Rong Wang, Haixing Liu, Xiaohua Yang, Chao Peng, Taibing Wei, Huawei Li

Institutions: Wuyi University, Wuyi University, Guangdong University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Concrete and Cement Materials Research

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137