Investigations on the durability of alkali-activated recycled glass. (10th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Idir, Rachida; Cyr, Martin; Pavoine, Alexandre
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 236(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-10
• Subjects: Recycled glass -- Alkali-activated materials -- Diffusion of chloride ions -- Sulfate attack -- Acid attack -- Alkali-silica reaction -- Carbonation; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117477
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: Possibility of synthesizing alkali-activated materials based on different sources of recycled glass (AAGC). The optimal concentration of activating solution (KOH) is 3 mol/l, regardless of the type of glass. AAGC are more permeable than Portland cement-based mortars. The transfer properties of AAGC typically vary depending on the type of glass used. AAGC exhibit good resistance to acid and sulfate attacks as well as to the alkali-silica reaction. Abstract: This work undertakes research on alkali-activated glass cullet (AAGC), with glass being recycled from various sources. Three types of glass are studied and compared: flat glass, hollow glass, and windshield glass. The study conducted yields the main formulation parameters affecting the behavior of AAGC, namely the concentration of activation solution KOH (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 mol/l) and the curing duration (1, 2, 4, 7 and 14 days) at 60 °C. These parameters are evaluated in terms of both compressive strength and flexural strength. Different durability parameters are also examined in this work, i.e.: porosity accessible to water, capillary absorption, chloride ion diffusion, sulfate attack, acid attack, and the alkali-silica reaction. Results show that for all three recycled glass types, optimal synthesis occurs under the condition with 3 mol/l KOH and 7 days of curing at 60 °C. Durability tests reveal that AAGC synthesized from these three recycled glasses exhibit an acceptable resistance to acid solution, sulfate attack and alkali-silica reaction despite their high permeability compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC).