Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of polymer latex powder on shrinkage behaviors and microstructure of alkali-activated slag binder

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Alkali-activated slag (AAS) cements usually exhibit larger shrinkage than the ordinary Portland cements. This study investigated the effectiveness of styrene acrylate copolymer latex powder addition in mitigating the shrinkage behavior of AAS binders. The results showed that the one-dimensional autogenous shrinkage of the binder with 2 wt% latex addition was decreased by 47.6%. The latex addition compacted the pore structure of binder to restrict the moisture evaporation, contributing to the mitigation of drying shrinkage. The proportion of capillary pores (10–50 nm) in the matrix was also reduced, resulting in a lower capillary pressure development. The less gel pores imply that the chemical shrinkage of paste with latex is relatively weak. Not only would the inert latex gains embedded in the matrix hinder the microcrack development but it also enhanced the bonding performance in the binder. It should be noted that the binder with 0.5 wt% latex addition exhibited the lowest drying shrinkage. This was also mainly attributed to the dilution effect brought by the inert latex grains, which enhanced the availability of activator for per unit volume of slag particles, and thus enhanced the degree of alkali activation in the binder.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang Z, Zhu Y, Yang T, Li L, Zhu H, Wang H (2017) Conversion of local industrial wastes into greener cement through geopolymer technology: a case study of high-magnesium nickel slag. J Clean Prod 141:463–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Karthik A, Sudalaimani K, Vijayakumar CT (2017) Durability study on coal fly ash-blast furnace slag geopolymer concretes with bio-additives. Ceram Int 15:11935–11943

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Yang T, Yao X, Zhang Z (2014) Geopolymer prepared with high-magnesium nickel slag: characterization of properties and microstructure. Constr Build Mater 59:188–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Provis JL (2018) Alkali-activated materials. Cem Concr Res 114:40–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Yang T, Zhang Z, Zhu H, Zhang W, Gao Y, Zhang X, Wu Q (2019) Effects of calcined dolomite addition on reaction kinetics of one-part sodium carbonate-activated slag cements. Constr Build Mater 211:329–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bernal SA, Provis JL, Green DJ (2014) Durability of alkali-activated materials: progress and perspectives. J Am Ceram Soc 97:997–1008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Kuenzel C, Vandeperre LJ, Donatello S, Boccaccini AR, Cheeseman C, Brown P (2012) Ambient temperature drying shrinkage and cracking in metakaolin-based geopolymers. J Am Ceram Soc 95:3270–3277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bing Y, Ping D, Ren D (2017) Mechanical strength, surface abrasion resistance and microstructure of fly ash-metakaolin-sepiolite geopolymer composites. Ceram Int 1:1052–1060

    Google Scholar 

  9. Khan I, Xu T, Castel A, Gilbert RI, Babaee M (2019) Risk of early age cracking in geopolymer concrete due to restrained shrinkage. Constr Build Mater 229:116840

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Collins F, Sanjayan JG (2000) Cracking tendency of alkali-activated slag concrete subjected to restrained shrinkage. Cem Concr Res 30:791–798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ballekere Kumarappa D, Peethamparan S, Ngami M (2018) Autogenous shrinkage of alkali activated slag mortars: basic mechanisms and mitigation methods. Cem Concr Res 109:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Lee NK, Jang JG, Lee HK (2014) Shrinkage characteristics of alkali-activated fly ash/slag paste and mortar at early ages. Cem Concr Compos 53:239–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Li Z, Lu T, Liang X, Dong H, Ye G (2020) Mechanisms of autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated slag and fly ash pastes. Cem Concr Res 135:106107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Jackson PR, Radford DW (2017) Effect of initial cure time on toughness of geopolymer matrix composites. Ceram Int 13:9884–9890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Quenard D, Sallee H (1992) Water vapour adsorption and transfer in cement-based materials: a network simulation. Mater Struct 25:515–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Collins F, Sanjayan JG (2000) Effect of pore size distribution on drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag concrete. Cem Concr Res 30:1401–1406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Humad AM, Provis JL, Cwirzen A (2019) Effects of curing conditions on shrinkage of alkali-activated High-MgO swedish slag concrete. Front Mater 6:287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Thomas RJ, Lezama D, Peethamparan S (2017) On drying shrinkage in alkali-activated concrete: improving dimensional stability by aging or heat-curing. Cem Concr Res 91:13–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bakharev T, Sanjayan JG, Cheng Y-B (1999) Effect of elevated temperature curing on properties of alkali-activated slag concrete. Cem Concr Res 29:1619–1625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Melo Neto AA, Cincotto MA, Repette W (2008) Drying and autogenous shrinkage of pastes and mortars with activated slag cement. Cem Concr Res 38:565–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Li Z, Nedeljković M, Chen B, Ye G (2019) Mitigating the autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated slag by metakaolin. Cem Concr Res 122:30–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Sakulich AR, Bentz DP (2012) Mitigation of autogenous shrinkage in alkali activated slag mortars by internal curing. Mater Struct 46:1355–1367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Song C, Choi YC, Choi S (2016) Effect of internal curing by superabsorbent polymers—internal relative humidity and autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated slag mortars. Constr Build Mater 123:198–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Tu W, Zhu Y, Fang G, Wang X, Zhang M (2019) Internal curing of alkali-activated fly ash-slag pastes using superabsorbent polymer. Cem Concr Res 116:179–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Hu X, Shi C, Zhang Z, Hu Z (2019) Autogenous and drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag mortars. J Am Ceram Soc 102:4963–4975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Lothenbach B, Nied D, L’Hôpital E, Achiedo G, Dauzères A (2015) Magnesium and calcium silicate hydrates. Cem Concr Res 77:60–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ben Haha M, Lothenbach B, LeSaout G, Winnefeld F (2011) Influence of slag chemistry on the hydration of alkali-activated blast-furnace slag—part I: effect of MgO. Cem Concr Res 41:955–963

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Walling SA, Bernal SA, Gardner LJ, Kinoshita H, Provis JL (2018) Blast furnace slag-Mg(OH)2 cements activated by sodium carbonate. RSC Adv 8:23101–23118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Du J, Bu Y, Shen Z, Hou X, Huang C (2016) Effects of epoxy resin on the mechanical performance and thickening properties of geopolymer cured at low temperature. Mater Design 109:133–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Wang R, Wang P (2009) Function of styrene-acrylic ester copolymer latex in cement mortar. Mater Struct 43:443–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Li L, Wang R, Lu Q (2018) Influence of polymer latex on the setting time, mechanical properties and durability of calcium sulfoaluminate cement mortar. Constr Build Mater 169:911–922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Chen X, Zhu GR, Wang J, Chen Q (2018) Effect of polyacrylic resin on mechanical properties of granulated blast furnace slag based geopolymer. J Non-Cryst Solids 481:4–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Lee NK, Kim EM, Lee HK (2016) Mechanical properties and setting characteristics of geopolymer mortar using styrene-butadiene (SB) latex. Constr Build Mater 113:264–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Wang D, Liang X, Jiang C, Pan Y (2018) Impact analysis of Carboxyl Latex on the performance of semi-flexible pavement using warm-mix technology. Constr Build Mater 179:566–575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Matalkah F, Salem T, Shaafaey M, Soroushian P (2019) Drying shrinkage of alkali activated binders cured at room temperature. Constr Build Mater 201:563–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Lu Z, Merkl J-P, Pulkin M, Firdous R, Wache S, Stephan D (2020) A systematic study on polymer-modified alkali-activated slag—part II: from hydration to mechanical properties. Materials 13:3418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Bassani M, Tefa L, Palmero P (2019) A preliminary investigation into the use of alkali-activated blast furnace slag mortars for high-performance pervious concrete pavements, international symposium on asphalt pavement & environment. Springer, pp 83–192

    Google Scholar 

  38. ASTM C469/C469M-10 (2010) Standard test method for static modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio of concrete in compression, ASTM Int. West Conshohocken

  39. Li H, Zuo J, Dong B, Xing F (2020) Effect of lamellar inorganic fillers on the properties of epoxy emulsion cement mortar. Int J Concr Struct Mater 14:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Ekinci E, Türkmen İ, Kantarci F, Karakoç MB (2019) The improvement of mechanical, physical and durability characteristics of volcanic tuff based geopolymer concrete by using nano silica, micro silica and Styrene-Butadiene Latex additives at different ratios. Constr Build Mater 201:257–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Fang G, Bahrami H, Zhang M (2018) Mechanisms of autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated fly ash-slag pastes cured at ambient temperature within 24 h. Constr Build Mater 171:377–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Kong X, Emmerling S, Pakusch J, Rueckel M, Nieberle J (2015) Retardation effect of styrene-acrylate copolymer latexes on cement hydration. Cem Concr Res 75:23–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Ye H, Radlinska A (2016) Shrinkage mechanisms of alkali-activated slag. Cem Concr Res 88:126–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Kawano T (1981) Studies on the mechanism of reducing drying shrinkage of cement mortar modified by rubber latex. In: Proceedings of the 3rd international congress on polymers in concrete, Koriyama, Japan, pp 13–15

  45. Moodi F, Kashi A, Ramezanianpour AA, Pourebrahimi M (2018) Investigation on mechanical and durability properties of polymer and latex-modified concretes. Constr Build Mater 191:145–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Mei Y-J, Li Z-Y, Wang P-M, Liang N-X (2009) Effect and mechanism of styrene-butadiene rubber latex on the long term shrinking performance of mortar. J Civ Archit Environ Eng 31:142–146

    Google Scholar 

  47. Feiteira J, Custódio J, Ribeiro MSS (2013) Review and discussion of polymer action on alkali–silica reaction. Mater Struct 46:1415–1427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Wang X-Y (2014) Effect of fly ash on properties evolution of cement based materials. Constr Build Mater 69:32–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Gleize PJP, Cyr M, Escadeillas G (2007) Effects of metakaolin on autogenous shrinkage of cement pastes. Cem Concr Compos 29:80–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Agostini D, Constantino C, Job A (2008) Thermal degradation of both latex and latex cast films forming membranes: combined TG/FTIR investigation. J Therm Anal Calorim 91:703–707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Yang T, Zhang Z, Zhang F, Gao Y, Wu Q (2020) Chloride and heavy metal binding capacities of hydrotalcite-like phases formed in greener one-part sodium carbonate-activated slag cements. J Clean Prod 253:120047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Zhang Z, Wang H, Provis JL, Bullen F, Reid A, Zhu Y (2012) Quantitative kinetic and structural analysis of geopolymers. Part 1. The activation of metakaolin with sodium hydroxide. Thermoch Acta 539:23–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Sun K, Wang S, Zeng L, Peng X (2019) Effect of styrene-butadiene rubber latex on the rheological behavior and pore structure of cement paste. Compos B Eng 163:282–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Li H, Xue Z, Liang H, Guo Y, Liang G, Niu D, Yang Z (2021) Influence of defoaming agents on mechanical performances and pore characteristics of Portland cement paste/mortar in presence of EVA dispersible powder. J Build Eng 41:102780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Liang G, Liu T, Li H, Wu K (2022) Shrinkage mitigation, strength enhancement and microstructure improvement of alkali-activated slag/fly ash binders by ultrafine waste concrete powder. Compos B Eng 231:109570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Palacios M, Puertas F (2005) Effect of superplasticizer and shrinkage-reducing admixtures on alkali-activated slag pastes and mortars. Cem Concr Res 35:1358–1367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Palacios M, Puertas F (2007) Effect of shrinkage-reducing admixtures on the properties of alkali-activated slag mortars and pastes. Cem Concr Res 37:691–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Jenni A, Zurbriggen R, Holzer L, Herwegh M (2006) Changes in microstructures and physical properties of polymer-modified mortars during wet storage. Cem Concr Res 36:79–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Won JP, Kim JH, Park CG, Kang JW, Kim HY (2009) Shrinkage cracking of styrene butadiene polymeric emulsion-modified concrete using rapid-hardening cement. J Appli Polym Sci 112:2229–2234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Wang M, Wang R, Yao H, Farhan S, Zheng S, Wang Z, Du C, Jiang H (2016) Research on the mechanism of polymer latex modified cement. Constr Build Mater 111:710–718

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Acknowledged financial supports include the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51878263, 21878257), Research on Key Technologies of General Inorganic Solid Waste Resource Utilization and Integrated Demonstration in Road System Construction of Sponge City (BE2018697), Jiangsu Province Industry-University-Research Cooperation Project (BY2020332).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Liang Tian, Tao Yang, Qisheng Wu, Huajun Zhu & Meng Gao

  2. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Liang Tian & Xiao Yao

  3. Key Laboratory for Green and Advanced Civil Engineering Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People’s Republic of China

    Zuhua Zhang

  4. Key Laboratory for Advanced Technology in Environmental Protection of Jiangsu Province, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Rongfeng Guan

Authors
  1. Liang Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tao Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiao Yao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zuhua Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Qisheng Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Huajun Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Meng Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Rongfeng Guan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Liang Tian: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data curation, Writing—original draft, Funding acquisition. Tao Yang: Writing-review & editing, Funding acquisition. Xiao Yao: Supervision, review & editing, resources. Zuhua Zhang: Resources. Qisheng Wu: Resources. Huajun Zhu: Supervision, Writing-review & editing, Resources, Funding acquisition. Meng Gao: Formal analysis. Rongfeng Guan: Writing—Review & editing, Funding acquisition.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Tao Yang or Huajun Zhu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declared that they have no conflict of interest to this work.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tian, L., Yang, T., Yao, X. et al. Effect of polymer latex powder on shrinkage behaviors and microstructure of alkali-activated slag binder. Mater Struct 56, 47 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02136-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02136-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation