Effects of CaCl2 on hydration and properties of lime(CaO)-activated slag/fly ash binder

This study presented CaCl2 as a potential additive activator to develop a new strong, price-competitive CaO-activated GGBFS binder blended with fly ash (CAS 4:4:2) to commercially replace ternary blended cements, which generally consist of 40% Portland cement, 40% GGBFS, and 20% fly ash (wt.%) (PC 4:4:2), widely used for concrete production. Despite CAS 4:4:2 having no clinker cement compound, the addition of CaCl2 not only significantly accelerated reactions of CAS 4:4:2 binders but also largely increased strengths at all curing days. Up to 72 h, the cumulative reaction heat of CAS 4:4:2 with CaCl2 was also reasonably low. Reaction products and microstructures of hardened CAS 4:4:2 pastes were considerably changed after CaCl2 addition. The CaCl2 presence markedly promoted dissolution of the glass phase of GGBFS and fly ash in early days, resulting in more production of reaction products (e.g., C-S-H, hydrocalumite) and pore-size refinement.