11. The influence of different fibres quantity on mechanical and microstructural properties of alkali-activated foamsKatja Traven, Mark Češnovar, Barbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Alkali activated foams (AAFs) were produced using electric arc furnace steel slag (EAF) and ladle furnace basic slag (LS), obtained from two metallurgical companies in Slovenia. They were activated with a mixture of sodium water glass (Na2SiO3) and solid NaOH and foamed with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pores were stabilized with the addition of Triton as a surfactant. Four types of fibres were added to the studied mixture (polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA), basalt (B), and glass wool (GW)) in five different quantities: 0.5, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5 and 2.0 vol % in order to additionally stabilize the structure and thus improve its mechanical properties. The results of mechanical properties showed, that compressive strength was increased in all 20 specimens, partially due to the increased density as well as to the fibre addition. Flexural strength on the other hand was the most improved in the samples where PP and PVA fibres were added. The samples with the addition of B and GW fibres on the other hand showed only small or no improvement in flexural strength in comparison to the referenced sample. Additionally, the microstructure of used fibres and selected foams was also investigated by the means of SEM analysis.
Keywords: fibers, alkali activated foams, properties
Published in DiRROS: 31.01.2024; Views: 172; Downloads: 74
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12. Alternative alkali activators based on waste bottle glass and waste cathode-ray tube glassKatja Koenig, Katja Traven, Vilma Ducman, 2021, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Alkali-activated binders are an environmentally friendly alternative to Portland cement, particularly when locally-available raw materials are used. It is well known that alkali activation with a sodium silicate activator generates a hardened binder with higher compressive strength than a binder hardened with sodium hydroxide. As the alkali-silicate activators are produced through energy extensive processes, and their use can significantly increase the carbon footprint of the final products, it is of great significance to develop alternative alkaline activators based on locally-available waste materials. This article assesses the potential to apply waste bottle glass and waste cathode-ray tube (CRT) glass to synthesise alternative alkali activators by the hydrothermal method. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to determine silicon and aluminium content in the alternative activators. The influence of dissolution process parameters (time, temperature, particle size) on the concentrations of silicon and aluminium in the alternative activators was investigated. The alternative activators with silicon concentration up to 19 g/L and aluminium concentration up to 0.9 g/L were prepared at T = 120 °C and boiling time 24 h. The alternative alkali activators and, for comparison, also commercial sodium silicate were used in the alkali activation of fly ash powder. The formed pastes were cured at 70 °C for 72 h. Mechanical strength measurements indicated that alkali activation of fly ash with the optimal alternative activator yielded hardened paste with compressive strength of 33 MPa. However, the compressive strength of hardened paste prepared from fly ash and commercial sodium silicate reached 70 MPa. Part of this difference can be ascribed to the lower density of hardened pastes prepared with alternative activators.
Keywords: alkali -activated materials, alternative alkali activators, waste bottle glass, waste cathode -ray tube glass, fly ash, hydrothermal method
Published in DiRROS: 25.01.2024; Views: 193; Downloads: 124
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13. Electrochemical corrosion tests on steel in alkali-activated materialsNina Gartner, Miha Hren, Tadeja Kosec, Andraž Legat, 2021, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: One of the potential alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) are Alkali-Activated Materials (AAMs). The service life of reinforced concrete structures greatly depends on the corrosion resistance of embedded steel reinforcement. Due to the wide range of AAMs and their diverse properties, corrosion processes of steel in these materials are relatively unknown. Corrosion monitoring methods or their interpretations in certain cases cannot be directly transferred from the ones for OPC materials. The chemical compositions of pore solution in different AAMs influence the results of electrochemical measurements and their interpretations. Within this research, three different alkali-activated mortar mixes were prepared, based on fly ash, slag or metakaolin. Pore solutions were extracted from each mortar andchemical analysis was acquired. Different electrochemical corrosion measurements were performed on steel submerged to synthetic pore solutions. In parallel, ordinary carbon steel reinforcing bar was installed in the same types of alkali-activated mortar mixes. Specimens were exposed to wet/dry cycles with saline solution and periodic measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed. Measured parameters in both systems were analysedand compared. It was concluded that electrochemical measurements in pore solutions can provide basic overview on corrosion behaviour in different AAMs environments. Periodic EIS measurements enabled monitoring of corrosion initiation and propagation on steel reinforcement in AAMs, although the information on the corrosion type is missing. Interpretation of results depends on visual analysis of corrosion damages after the end of exposure, providing information on corrosion type and intensity. The continuation of research on corrosion monitoring techniques will be performed by using Electrical Resistance (ER) sensors and Coupled Multi-Electrode Array (CMEA) sensors.
Keywords: corrosion, alkali-activated mortars, pore solution extraction, electrochemical corrosion techniques, visual analysis
Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2024; Views: 225; Downloads: 116
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14. Influence of curing / drying methods including microwave heating on alkali activation of waste casting coresBarbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2021, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Within previous investigation alkali activation of waste casting cores at room temperature did not give promising results, i.e. when the precursor was gently ground and sieved below 600 %m the alkali activated material fell apart at demolding, and when the precursor was ground below 90 %m, the alkali activated material did not solidify in more than 2 years. , Therefore different drying/curing methods were applied to enhance the reaction. Waste casting cores were prepared in two granulations (sieved below 600 %m and below 90 %m), activated with Na -water glass and 10 M NaOH, cured at different temperatures (70 °C and room temperature), and subsequently cured/dried at three different conditions: room temperature, 110 °C, and irradiated with microwaves. The highest compressive strength, 25 MPa, was gained with subsequent curing/drying at 110 °C. The lowest density, 0.5 kg/l, with compressive strength above 3 MPa, was achieved with subsequent curing/drying with microwaves .
Keywords: waste casting cores, alkali activation, curing, drying, microwaves, mechanical strength
Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2024; Views: 224; Downloads: 117
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15. Fibre reinforced alkali-activated rock woolMajda Pavlin, Barbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Mineral wool, i.e. rock and glass wool, represents considerable challenge after its functional-time runs out due to its small density leading to large volume consumption during transport and in landfills where it usually ends. Because rock wool is mineralogically and chemically a promising precursor material for alkali-activation, it was milled from few centimetres-decimeters long fibres to micron-sized fibres. Since fibres in alkali-activated materials generally show an increase in mechanical strength, especially the bending strength, 1 m% of additional fibres (basalt, cellulose (2 types), glass, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol and steel fibres) was used in the alkali mixture, that was curred at 40 °C for 3 days. Time dependence of the mechanical strengths of alkali- activated materials with and without additional fibres was followed. Maximal increase of compressive and bending strength after 28 days was reached with polypropylene fibres, i.e. it was 20% and 30% higher than compressive and bending strength of alkali- activated material without additional fibres respectively.
Keywords: secondary raw material, alkali activated material, foaming, homogenization, mechanical strength
Published in DiRROS: 21.12.2023; Views: 243; Downloads: 81
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16. Influence of homogenization of alkali-activated slurry on mechanical strengthBarbara Horvat, Mark Češnovar, Katja Traven, Majda Pavlin, Katja Koenig, Vilma Ducman, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Alkali-activated materials are promising materials for the construction industry due to the accessibility of the precursors, which are mainly secondary industrial by-products, and their cost- effective and energy-efficient production. Although these materials are not new, some of the parameters in the technological process are not yet fully understood and tested. Therefore, in this paper in the means of mechanical strength, the preparation of alkali-activated pastes by using a three-roll mill homogenization method is discussed. The influence of homogenization of alkali- activated slurry has been evaluated on different waste materials (fly ash, fly ash with metakaolin, slag mixture (electric arc furnace slag and ladle slag), glass wool, waste green ceramics), which are treated with different alkali activators (NaOH, commercial sodium silicate solution, laboratory-produced alkali activators based on waste cathode- ray tube glass) with different curing regimes (60 °C and 70 °C) and different drying methods (drying at room temperature, drying at 105 °C). The viscosity of the slurry before homogenization was higher than after homogenization, the distribution of elements was more uniform and the compressive strength higher in all homogenized alkali activated materials, regardless of other parameters.
Keywords: secondary raw material, alkali activated material, foaming, homogenization, mechanical strength
Published in DiRROS: 21.12.2023; Views: 267; Downloads: 87
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17. The development and assessment of alkali activated paving blocksAna Frankovič, Vilma Ducman, Lubica Kriskova, Efthymios Tatsis, Petrica Petrica, Yiannis Pontikes, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: In recent years great attention has been placed by the building sector on alkali-activated technology based on metakaolin, fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), but also on emerging precursors such as by-products from non-ferrous metallurgy. The present work focuses on the development of alkali-activated binders from two slags, one from primary and one from secondary copper production, which were finely milled, blended with GGBFS, and activated with K-based alkali silicate solution with a 1.7 SiO2/K2O molar ratio. The aggregate to paste mass ratio was 2. The mixtures were cast, and cured for a designated time at room temperature and 60% RH. The so-obtained paving blocks were then tested in accordance with European standard for concrete paving blocks. The following properties were measured: splitting tensile strength, abrasion resistance, slip and skid resistance, resistance to freeze-thaw and resistance to freeze-thaw in the presence of de-icing salts. Their properties were compared to those of commercially available concrete paving blocks, and it was found that the performance of the alkali-activated pavers was generally comparable with the concrete pavers, while certain properties (e.g., abrasion resistance, freeze-thaw resistance and freeze-thaw resistance in presence of de-icing salts) were considerably better.
Keywords: slags, alkali activated pavers, properties
Published in DiRROS: 21.12.2023; Views: 181; Downloads: 69
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18. Pilot production of façade panels : variability of mix designMajda Pavlin, Barbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: As part of the WOOL2LOOP project, the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG), in collaboration with Termit d.d. were responsible for the production of façade panels. An initial mix design was developed at ZAG, where alkali-activated façade panels were produced, primarily from stone wool waste, while production took place at Termit. The mix design was changed twice during the pilot production, before a final product with suitable durability was developed. A compressive strength of up to 60 MPa and bending strength of approximately 20 MPa was achieved. The mechanical properties, however, varied, due to the unevenly milled batches of the milled mineral wool. Milling on a larger scale is very challenging, and it is difficult to obtain consistent quality of the milled material. Once the correct curing process had been found, however, the panels produced showed good performance. Moreover, the results from leaching tests showed that the elevated concentrations of certain elements (Cr, As and Mo) did not exceed the legal limits for non- hazardous waste.
Keywords: waste mineral wool, alkali activated material, façade panels, pilot production, circular economy
Published in DiRROS: 28.11.2023; Views: 292; Downloads: 109
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19. Microwave irradiation of alkali - activated metakaolin slurryBarbara Horvat, Branka Mušič, Majda Pavlin, Vilma Ducman, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The building and civil engineering industry generates more than 40% of man-caused carbon emissions, consumes a lot of energy just to produce building materials, generates a large amount of waste through construction and demolition, and consumes a large amount of natural resources. One of the possible solutions is to use alkali-activated materials, which can use waste instead of raw materials and are produced at lower temperatures, with less energy consumption and in less time than traditional building products. All of this lowers the carbon footprint, which could be further reduced by the timely-short implementation of microwave irradiation in the early stages of alkali-activation synthesis. Therefore, metakaolin activated with Na-water glass in a theoretically optimal ratio was irradiated with microwaves of 2.45 GHz at powers of 100 W and 1000 W for 1 min, and compared to non-irradiated reference cured only at room conditions. Samples prepared at higher power, i.e., 1000 W, solidified completely and foamed. TG-DTA was performed on all samples in the early stages of curing, mechanical strengths were measured on 3 and 28-day- old samples, and leaching tests on aged samples.
Keywords: metakaolin, alkali activated material, alkali activated foams, microwave irradiation
Published in DiRROS: 28.11.2023; Views: 269; Downloads: 111
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20. Particle size manipulation as an influential parameter in the development of mechanical properties in electric arc furnace slag-based AAMKatja Traven, Mark Češnovar, Vilma Ducman, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Alkali-activated materials (AAM) have gained recognition as a promising alternative to technical ceramic and building materials owing to the lower energy demands for production and the potential to use slag as a precursor. In the present study, five sets of slag-based AAM pastes were prepared with different particle sizes (fractions d < 63, 63 < d < 90, and 90 < d < 125 μm in different mass ratios) under the same curing regime and using a fixed precursor to activator (water) mass ratio. Precursors and the hardened AAM are evaluated using BET, XRD, XRF, SEM, FTIR, reactivity of precursors by leaching, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Chemical analysis indicated only marginal differences among the different-sized fractions of input materials, whereas the BET surface area and reactivity among the precursors differed significantly-smaller particles had the largest surface area, and thus, higher reactivity. The mineralogical differences between the precursors and hardened AAM were negligible. The results revealed that compressive strength was significantly influenced by particle size, i.e., a threefold increase in strength when the particle size was halved. Microstructural evaluation using MIP confirmed that the porosity was the lowest in AAM with the smallest particle size. The low porosity and high reactivity of the fine fractions led to the highest compressive strength, confirming that manipulation of particle size can significantly influence the mechanical properties.
Keywords: alkalijsko aktivirani materiali, žlindra iz obločne peči, mehanska aktivacija, mehanske lastnosti, poroznost, alkali-activated materials (AAM), electric arc furnace steel slag, mechanical activation, mechanical properties, porosity
Published in DiRROS: 22.11.2023; Views: 303; Downloads: 146
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