Mechanical, microstructural and energetic evaluation of conventional and one-part alkali-activated mixtures with raw sugarcane bagasse ash

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2023-08, Vol.394, p.132168, Article 132168
• Main Authors: Lima, Victor M.E., Estolano, Amanda M.L., Almeida, Yeda M.B., Henrique, Mariana A., Araújo, Fernanda W.C., Melo Neto, Antonio A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkali-activated binder; One-part binder; Scanning electronic microscopy; Sodium metasilicate; Sugarcane bagasse ash
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132168

•A new strategy for one-part mixtures activated by sodium metasilicate is suggested.•The use of 10% unground SBA improved the compressive strength at early ages.•Ca/Si ratio of C-(A)-S-H matrices decreased with the incorporation of 50% SBA.•The incorporation of unground SBA reduced costs and saved energy. This study aimed to develop eco-friendly alkali-activated mixtures utilizing blast furnace slag (BFS) and unground sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA). One-part mixtures comprising BFS, SBA, and sodium metasilicate as dry materials were compared to conventional mixtures. Mortars and pastes were prepared with SBA replacement ratios up to 70%. At 3-days compressive strength, an increase for mixtures with 10% and 30% SBA was observed. The techniques of XRD, TG, FTIR and SEM were used to identify chemical and morphological changes caused by SBA incorporation. Utilizing raw SBA eliminated processes, saved power consumption and made employing this waste feasible.