Kinetics of slag hydration in the presence of calcium hydroxide

The reaction between ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) having an empirical formula of C(7.88)S(7.39)M(3)A and calcium hydroxide (CH) was investigated. The kinetics of the reaction were explored. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to monitor the consumption of CH from which irate constants were determined. Based on Knudsen's kinetic model, activation energies of 14.5, 17.9, and 22.6 kJ/mol were determined for three different mass ratios of slag and CH reacted over a temperature range of 15degrees to 50degreesC and hydrated for a period of time from 0 to 32 days. A comparison of the kinetics of the slag/CH reaction was made with slag/portland cement hydration. The basic features of both appear similar.