Towards sustainable solutions for fly ash through mechanical activation

This paper is a critical overview on fly ash utilisation with emphasis on mechanical activation of fly ash in developing processes for medium to high volume utilisation of fly ash. Applications of mechanical activation that are particularly highlighted include blended cement containing high volume (50–60%) of fly ash, and geopolymer materials, such as high compressive strength (up to 120 MPa) geopolymer cements and self glazed tiles. The schemes for the utilisation of fly ash involving mechanical activation are worked out that have potential to evolve as sustainable solutions.