Variation in Polymerization Degree of C-A-S-H Gels and Its Role in Strength Development of Alkali-activated Slag Binders

To investigate the variation in the degree of polymerization calcium aluminium silicate hydrate(C-A-S-H)gel and its role in the evolution of the strength of waterglass slag binders,the compressive strength,hydration products,degree of hydration of the slag,and the degree of polymerization of C-A-S-H gels of binders were examined.The experimental results indicate that the pH of the pore solution increased with an increase in the Na_(2)O concentration.However,mortar with an optimum compressive strength value of 81.0 MPa at 28 d was obtained when water glass modulus was 1.5.The main hydration product is a C-A-S-H gel for which the quantity and the degree of polymerization depend strongly on the Na_(2)O concentration;for a given range,both increase with increasing Na_(2)O concentration,thus yielding an enhanced strength.A further increase in the Na_(2)O concentration continuously increases the quantity of C-A-S-H gels while drastically reducing the degree of polymerization.The positive effect of the former is counteracted by the adverse effect of the latter,ultimately,leading to a decreased strength.Furthermore,we reveal that the degree of polymerization for C-A-S-H gels may be affected by pH,through a series of complex chemical reactions.