Effect of mechanical processing on sugar cane bagasse ash pozzolanicity

This work intends to contribute to the understanding about the effect of sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA) on the hydration of cement-based pastes by focusing on the influence of different particle size (or specific surface area). Isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetry, chemical shrinkage, and strength pozzolanic index tests were performed to compare the hydration and chemical evolution of pastes containing SCBA with different fineness and pastes with inert (quartz) and pozzolanic (rice husk ash) materials. The results showed that a clear change in the kinetics of hydration and portlandite content by comparing the SCBA with different particle sizes. In addition, the different SCBAs had a marked effect on the chemical shrinkage and portlandite, with an intermediate behavior between the pastes with quartz and rice husk ash. Finally, with increasing in specific surface area and soluble fraction of SCBA, its pozzolanic activity was progressively enhanced due to both portlandite consumption and physical effects.