Synthesis and characterization of alkali aluminosilicate hydraulic cement that meets standard requirements for general use

- ASTM C1157 represents a shift away from specifications that dictate composition restrictions.
- Development of a new cement that meets standard requirement for general use.
- The new sustainable hydraulic cement was thoroughly characterized.

A sustainable hydraulic cement was developed based primarily upon the alkali aluminosilicate chemistry. This cement employed largely coal fly ash, granulated ground blast furnace slag and natural feldspar as sources of aluminosilicates, with small concentrations of calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate used as sources of alkalis and soluble silica. In addition, sodium tetraborate was incorporated into the cement formulation for set retardation. The dry raw materials were transformed into a hydraulic cement via input of mechanical energy using a ball mill. Comprehensive experimental evaluation of the resultant hydraulic cement confirmed that it meets standard requirements for general use in concrete construction.