Development of a high-temperature-resistant mortar by using slag and pumice

The effects of high temperatures up to 900 °C on the mechanical properties and the microstructure of cement-based pumice mortars incorporating different amounts of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were investigated in this study. The residual compressive and flexural strength of mortar specimens were determined after exposure to high temperatures. The results have indicated that the effect of GGBFS incorporation on high-temperature resistance of pumice mortar is shown significantly at 900 °C. At this temperature level, the mortar containing 80% GGBFS exhibited only 23% and 28% compressive strength loss when cooled in air and water, respectively, where as mortars without GGBFS lost almost 70% of their strength. Furthermore, none of the GGBFS incorporated mortar specimens showed compressive strength loss up to 600 °C when cooled in air. The most severe conditions in terms of strength loss due to high temperatures were flexural loading and water cooling case.