Microstructure and Durability of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Cement Mortars

Ground granulated blast furnace slag is an eco-friendly material with regard to its production process and usage. In this study, slag cement (SC) is used to prepare different slag cement mortar (SCM) mixes to study mortar microstructure perspectives, physiochemical properties, mechanical properties and durability performance. The tests also included the evaluation of SC setting time and slag activity index. Test results showed that the used slag cement had a high activity index and prolonged initial setting time. SCM demonstrated positive synergistic effects on late compressive strength, enhanced durability against sulfates and acid attacks. Also, SCMs seem to produce a more stable structure at elevated temperatures. Strength and durability improvement was correlated with an improved microstructure as indicated by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analyses.