Effect of lithium slag on freeze-thaw resistance of concrete

In this study, the effect of adding lithium slag (LS) as a supplementary cementitious material on the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete is experimentally investigated. In addition, mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscope techniques have been employed to explore the morphology of hydration products and pore structure in concretes with varying LS contents to support the findings obtained from the experiments. The findings demonstrate that incorporating LS into concrete enhances its freeze-thaw resistance properties. Specifically, the addition of 10 wt% LS improves concrete matrix denseness, reducing internal connectivity and water intrusion, thereby enhancing freeze-thaw resistance. However, excessive amounts of LS can increase porosity, deteriorate the microstructure, and adversely affect freeze-thaw resistance. The research results can provide a reference value for freeze-thaw resistance of concrete in severe cold regions.