Using superabsorbent polymer to mitigate the fast setting and high autogenous shrinkage of carbide slag and sodium silicate activated ultrafine GGBS based composites

Alkali-activated GGBS based composite is a low carbon engineering material, but limited by some unavoidable disadvantages, such as fast setting and high autogenous shrinkage. In present work, superabsorbent polymer (SAP), which was synthesized by copolymerizing acrylic acid and acrylamide, was used to control the setting time and autogenous shrinkage of carbide slag and sodium silicate activated ultrafine GGBS based composites (CSGC). Results indicated that the fast setting of CSGC was effectively controlled by the addition of SAP. The initial and final setting time were delayed by more than 30 min and 60 min respectively, which provides the possibility to ensure the on-site construction operation. Although SAP mitigated the fast setting of CSGC, it had a negligible effect on the heat release during hydration. Autogenous shrinkage was reduced by 27% when only 0.1% SAP was added, and the compensation of autogenous shrinkage became more pronounced with the increased SAP dosage. The amount of large capillary pores above 100 nm was significantly increased in CSGC incorporating high SAP dosage, which leads to a decline in compressive strength. However, the compressive strength of CSGC with low SAP dosage can match that of reference group at 28 d, due to the internal curing effect of released water from SAP.