Carbonated wollastonite - An effective supplementary cementitious material?

Carbonated wollastonite clinker (CS) may be suitable as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) for mortar and concrete. The microstructure of unground CS clinker, carbonated CS slurry and a mortar blended with carbonated CS are investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, a reference mortar with pure Portland cement and one with a cement replacement level of 30 mass-% by carbonated CS are produced to assess its contribution to compressive strength development. The calcium silicates are decalcified during carbonation resulting in CaCO3 and amorphous SiO2. The latter reacts when used as SCM in mortar influencing the Ca/Si ratio of calcium-silicate-hydrate and contributing to compressive strength development.