Degradation of Materials Based on Alkali-Activated Blast-Furnace Slag after Exposure to Aggressive Environments

Abstract

The paper summarizes partial results of a study of degradation of materials based on alkali-activated blast-furnace slag (AAS) and comparative on cement CEM III/A 32.5 R after exposure to aggressive environments. It further specifies the possibilities for utilising destructive and non-destructive techniques to determine the progress of degradation and characterizes the degree of their correlation. After 28 days of ageing in a water environment, the produced test specimens (40×40×160 mm beams) were placed in aggressive media (ammonium nitrate solutions; sodium sulfate, rotating water) and after subsequent 28, 56 and 84 days of degradation were subjected to testing. Testing comprised both a destructive form (determination of compressive strength and flexural strength) and a selected non-destructive technique (Impact-echo method). The partial outputs were supplemented by the results acquired from monitoring weight changes. In addition, the development of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity in relation to the progress of the degradation processes was also monitored. While the exposure of both test specimens to water and sodium sulfate did not result in any significant changes, the exposure to the ammonium nitrate solution exhibited rapid signs of degradation associated with a significant reduction in functional characteristics.