Effect of Activators on Strength of Hybrid Alkaline Cement

Hybrid alkaline cement is a class of alkaline cement resulted from alkali activation of the medium calcium content of aluminosilicate materials. This paper presents an experimental analysis of alkali activators effect on strength of hybrid alkaline cement produced from 80% fly ash and 20% ordinary Portland cement. Two alkali activators were observed i.e. 5% sodium sulfate and a combination of 5% of sodium sulfate-1.1 M SiO₂ of sodium silicate solution. Compressive strength tests were performed on 20mmx 40mm cylinder paste specimens while setting time tests were conducted by Vicat needle. Scanning electron microscopy analysis and measurement of fly ash reaction degree were performed to explain the compressive strength of paste. It is concluded that addition of soluble silicate on the dry mix of hybrid cement-sodium sulfate activator reduce compressive strength and shorten the setting time. Both of activators give relative low fly ash reaction degree.