Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Materials

The influences of MgO activity and its content on the mechanical properties, drying shrinkage compensation, pore structure, and microstructure of alkali-activated fly ash–slag materials were investigated. Active MgO effectively compensated for the alkali-activated materials’ (AAMs’) drying shrinkage...

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Main Authors: Hongqiang Ma, Shiru Li, Zelong Lei, Jialong Wu, Xinhua Yuan, Xiaoyan Niu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/256
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author Hongqiang Ma
Shiru Li
Zelong Lei
Jialong Wu
Xinhua Yuan
Xiaoyan Niu
author_facet Hongqiang Ma
Shiru Li
Zelong Lei
Jialong Wu
Xinhua Yuan
Xiaoyan Niu
author_sort Hongqiang Ma
collection DOAJ
description The influences of MgO activity and its content on the mechanical properties, drying shrinkage compensation, pore structure, and microstructure of alkali-activated fly ash–slag materials were investigated. Active MgO effectively compensated for the alkali-activated materials’ (AAMs’) drying shrinkage. The drying shrinkage increased rapidly with the increase in curing age and stabilized after 28 d. Within a certain range, the material’s drying shrinkage was inversely proportional to the content of active MgO. The higher the activity of MgO, the lower the drying shrinkage of the AAMs under the same MgO content. The drying shrinkage values of the test groups with 9% R-MgO, M-MgO, and S-MgO at 90 d were 2444 με, 2306 με, and 2156 με, respectively. In the early stage of hydration, the addition of S-MgO reduced the compressive strength. As the content of M-MgO increased, the compressive strength first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum of 72.28 MPa at an M-MgO content of 9%. The experimental group with 9% M-MgO exhibited higher compressive and flexural strengths than those with 9% S-MgO and R-MgO, demonstrating better mechanical properties. The results of this study provide an important theoretical basis and data support for the optimal application of MgO in AAMs. MgO expansion agents have great application potential in low-carbon buildings and durable materials. Further research on their adaptability in complex environments will promote their development for engineering and provide innovative support for green buildings.
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spelling doaj-art-94bed04612f145978194216365e231122025-01-24T13:26:22ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-01-0115225610.3390/buildings15020256Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag MaterialsHongqiang Ma0Shiru Li1Zelong Lei2Jialong Wu3Xinhua Yuan4Xiaoyan Niu5College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, ChinaThe influences of MgO activity and its content on the mechanical properties, drying shrinkage compensation, pore structure, and microstructure of alkali-activated fly ash–slag materials were investigated. Active MgO effectively compensated for the alkali-activated materials’ (AAMs’) drying shrinkage. The drying shrinkage increased rapidly with the increase in curing age and stabilized after 28 d. Within a certain range, the material’s drying shrinkage was inversely proportional to the content of active MgO. The higher the activity of MgO, the lower the drying shrinkage of the AAMs under the same MgO content. The drying shrinkage values of the test groups with 9% R-MgO, M-MgO, and S-MgO at 90 d were 2444 με, 2306 με, and 2156 με, respectively. In the early stage of hydration, the addition of S-MgO reduced the compressive strength. As the content of M-MgO increased, the compressive strength first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum of 72.28 MPa at an M-MgO content of 9%. The experimental group with 9% M-MgO exhibited higher compressive and flexural strengths than those with 9% S-MgO and R-MgO, demonstrating better mechanical properties. The results of this study provide an important theoretical basis and data support for the optimal application of MgO in AAMs. MgO expansion agents have great application potential in low-carbon buildings and durable materials. Further research on their adaptability in complex environments will promote their development for engineering and provide innovative support for green buildings.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/256alkali-activated materialsMgO activitydrying shrinkagemechanical propertiesmicrostructure
spellingShingle Hongqiang Ma
Shiru Li
Zelong Lei
Jialong Wu
Xinhua Yuan
Xiaoyan Niu
Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Materials
Buildings
alkali-activated materials
MgO activity
drying shrinkage
mechanical properties
microstructure
title Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Materials
title_full Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Materials
title_fullStr Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Materials
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Materials
title_short Effect of Active MgO on Compensated Drying Shrinkage and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Materials
title_sort effect of active mgo on compensated drying shrinkage and mechanical properties of alkali activated fly ash slag materials
topic alkali-activated materials
MgO activity
drying shrinkage
mechanical properties
microstructure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/256
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AT zelonglei effectofactivemgooncompensateddryingshrinkageandmechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedflyashslagmaterials
AT jialongwu effectofactivemgooncompensateddryingshrinkageandmechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedflyashslagmaterials
AT xinhuayuan effectofactivemgooncompensateddryingshrinkageandmechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedflyashslagmaterials
AT xiaoyanniu effectofactivemgooncompensateddryingshrinkageandmechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedflyashslagmaterials