Potential utilization of sugarcane bagasse ash for developing alkali-activated materials

Abstract

Sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) is a by-product generated from cogenerations in sugar industries. This study is aimed at investigating on performance of alkali-activated binder using SBA and ground blast furnace slag (GBFS). The proposed mixtures were developed by changing GBFS/SBA ratios in blends (i.e. 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40) and silicate moduli (M_s = 0.6, 0.8, 1.2). Several results are highlighted: (1) alkali-activated GBFS/SBA pastes perform a quick hardening with an increase in M_s; (2) testing specimens cured in room–air ambient have the 28-day compressive strength beyond 110 MPa; and the 90/10 one shows the highest mechanical strength and manifested the best sulfate resistance and the lowest water absorption; (3) magnitude of drying shrinkage is smallest for 80/20 sample and following by the 90/10 sample. In summary, with balance of fresh behavior, strength, and shrinkage, a substitution up to 20% SBA could be appropriate to manufacture a sustainable binder.

Keywords:

• Alkali-activated material
• sugarcane bagasse ash
• workability
• compressive strength
• sulfate resistance

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial supports of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of China, Taiwan on this research project, under Contract No. MOST 107-2637-E-992-003.