Influence of Initial Particle Size of Ferronickel Slag on Alkali-Silica Reaction in Cement Mortar

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.0913

Abstract

Abstract:

Water-quenched cooling ferronickel slag fine aggregates contain a high proportion of amorphous silica and thus pose high alkali-silica reaction （ASR） activity， which may adversely affect the durability and safety of building structures. To elucidate the intrinsic relationship between the initial particle size of ferronickel slag and its ASR behavior， the aggregates were crushed and sieved to controlled size ranges， and the ASR activity of ferronickel slag fine aggregates with different initial particle sizes was systematically studied based on the evolution of hydration products， gel structure， and micro-morphology. The results indicate that the ASR reactivity of ferronickel slag fine aggregates increases with initial particle size. A large amount of calcium hydroxide generated in the ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar participates in the subsequent ASR reaction. Calcium ions exchange with alkali metal ions in the gel product， and a large amount of calcium-rich gel is formed in the cracks near the aggregate. The water absorption rate of the calcium-rich gel is high， which will lead to the expansion of slurry and affect the pore structure of slurry. This study intuitively reveals the dynamic damage accumulation characteristics of aggregates with different initial particle sizes in ASR process， and provides basis and engineering reference for the ASR hazard evaluation and prevention strategy formulation of ferronickel slag fine aggregates.

Key words: ferronickel slag, gel, calcium hydroxide, alkali-silica reaction, particle size, pore structure

CLC Number:

TQ172

WANG Wei, YE Zi, YU Qi, ZHANG Yamei. Influence of Initial Particle Size of Ferronickel Slag on Alkali-Silica Reaction in Cement Mortar[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(4): 1109-1121.

Figures/Tables 17

Table 1 Chemical composition of cement and ferronickel slag

Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	CaO	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	SO₃	MgO	MnO	Fe₂O₃	Cr₂O₃	Na₂O	TiO₂	LOI
Cement	64.20	17.44	4.56	3.64	1.39	—	2.62	—	0.43	—	5.72
Ferronickel slag	29.43	22.84	19.06	—	8.76	1.34	1.24	0.75	0.50	0.49	15.59

Fig.1 XRD pattern and particle size distribution of cement

Fig.2 XRD pattern and particle size distribution of ferronickel slag

Fig.3 Appearance of ferronickel slag with different initial particle sizes

Fig.4 SEM images of ferronickel slag with different initial particle sizes

Table 2 Experimental mix proportion of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar accelerated mortar bar method

Group	Ferronickel slag initial particle size/mm	Mass/g
Group	Ferronickel slag initial particle size/mm	Cement	Ferronickel slag fine aggregate	River sand	Water
Ref	—	440	0	990.0	206.8
A	>4.75	440	247.5	742.5	206.8
B	2.36~4.75	440	247.5	742.5	206.8
C	0~<2.36	440	247.5	742.5	206.8

Fig.5 Expansion rate of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar bars during ASR deterioration

Fig.6 Mass change of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar bars during ASR deterioration

Fig.7 XRD patterns of hydration products of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

Fig.8 DTG profiles of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

Fig.9 Ca（OH）2 content of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

Fig.10 FT-IR spectra of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

Fig.11 28 d BSE images of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

Table 3 Ca/Si ratio of gels and ASR products of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar

Group	Ref	A	B	C
Ca/Si ratio （gel）	2.06	1.82	1.91	2.09
Ca/Si ratio （ASR product）	—	1.57	1.33	—

Fig.12 Pore structure evolution of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

Fig.13 Pore porosity of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

Fig.14 Pore aspect ratio of ferronickel slag fine aggregate cement mortar during ASR deterioration at different ages

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