Phosphate-activated high-calcium fly ash acid-base cements

Some fly ashes are used in the concrete industry but some are deemed unsuitable owing to their chemical compositions. This study investigated the use of such a high-calcium fly ash containing large amounts of anhydrite, free lime, and calcite, to produce room-temperature acid-base cements by activation with phosphate sources. Orthophosphoric acid solutions and potassium dihydrogen phosphate were used as activators. Paste microstructures were studied using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, isothermal calorimetry, and pH measurements. These findings were related to strength development up to 28 d. Room-temperature cured pastes activated with a 60% H3PO4 solution and a solution-to-powder ratio of 1.0 gave the highest 1-d strength of 15 MPa and 28-d strength of 22 MPa. Partial replacement of the ash with glass powder further increased the 28-d strength. Crystalline calcium phosphates, Brushite and Monetite, were among the products of the solution-activated pastes, as well as some amorphous phases. Potassium salt-activated pastes did not contain the calcium phosphate crystals and gave lower strengths. The ultimate pH of well-reacted mixtures were close to neutral.