An Investigation Into Ground Glass-Based Alkali Activated Cement For Use In High-Temperature Applications

Abstract

Glass-based alkali-activated cements (AACs) can withstand higher temperatures, up to 1100°C, compared to conventional portland cement (PC) failing above 200°C. AACs demonstrate beneficial vitrification, and expansive foam properties different from PC. AACs are manufactured using a reactive aluminosilicate powder mixed with concentrated alkali solution to dissolve and polymerize aluminosilicate precursors creating a binding matrix. Glass-based AAC mortar was exposed to 300, 600, 900, and 1100ºC, then air cooled and water quenched to determine the residual compressive strength of the samples as compared to PC and fly ash-based AAC. AACs retained higher flexural modulus at ambient temperatures and higher residual compressive strength properties compared to PC. Physical property characterization was completed on the glass-based AACs, retaining similar porosity, density, and leaching but better insulative properties compared to PC. Alkali-activated cements demonstrate beneficial insulative properties that could be effective in fire retardant coatings, passive heat protection, or other high temperature applications.