Manufacture of air-cooled slag-based alkali-activated cements using mechanochemical activation

This study introduces a novel activation method to manufacture alkali-activated cements (AACs) based on inactive air-cooled blast furnace slag (ACS), which is well-crystallized and hydraulically unreactive. To enhance its reactivity we developed a new mechanochemical activation procedure, analysing the effect of activation on the structure of ACS at different grinding parameters using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and PSD. The applicability of activated ACS in AACs was characterised using compressive strength at 28 days. The ACS partially amorphised by mechanochemical activation proved to be a valuable component for AACs with its maximum strength in mortar surpassing that of granulated slag.