Effect of Mineral-Generated Lithium Slag on the Properties of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement

Abstract

A large amount of mineral-generated lithium slag will be produced after extracting lithium from spodumene. However, most lithium slag has not been well utilized. In this study, lithium slag was added to MOC, and its setting time, compressive strength, water resistance, phase composition, and microscopic morphology were studied. The results showed that although lithium slag prolonged the setting time and reduced the compressive strength of MOC, its water resistance improved. When the content of lithium slag was 20 wt%, the softening coefficient of the specimen reached a maximum value, and the softening coefficients at 3, 7, and 14 days were 1.47, 1.91, and 1.51 times that of MOC without lithium slag, respectively. A microscopic morphology analysis showed that the lithium slag transformed the MOC crystals from needle-like to column-like or block-like, the crystallization range expanded, and the binding force weakened. Magnesium oxychloride cement with excellent mechanical properties and good workability was combined with magnesium slag in this paper to provide the basis for the application of magnesium slag in building materials.