Open Access

ARTICLE

Influence of Bayer Red Mud on the Operational and Mechanical Characteristics of Composite Cement Mortar

Cheng Hu^1,2, Weiheng Xiang^1,3,*, Ping Chen^2,3, Yi Yang^4,5, Libo Zhou³, Jiufang Jiang⁵, Shunkai Li^2,4, Yang Ming¹, Qing Li³

1 Guangxi Key Laboratory of New Energy and Building Energy Saving, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
2 College of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
3 Guangxi Engineering and Technology Center for Utilization of Industrial Waste Residue in Building Materials, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
4 Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploration of Nonferrous Metal Deposits and Efficient Utilization of Resources, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
5 Guangxi Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base, Guangxi Yufeng Cement Group Company Limited, Liuzhou, 545008, China

* Corresponding Author: Weiheng Xiang. Email:

Journal of Renewable Materials 2023, 11(11), 3945-3956. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2023.027544

Received 03 November 2022; Accepted 31 January 2023; Issue published 31 October 2023

Abstract

The aim of this study is to enhance the value and utilization of red mud generated in the Bayer process by preparing composite cement mortars. The effects of two different types of Bayer red mud with varying physical and chemical characteristics on the fluidity, mechanical strength, mineral composition, and microstructure of the composite cement mortar were systematically evaluated. The results showed that the optimal addition of red mud A was 10 wt%, while it was 20 wt% for red mud B. The mechanical properties of the composite cement mortar met the standards for P·O42.5 cement. Furthermore, the composite mortar with the addition of red mud B showed higher flexural and compressive strengths compared to the composite mortar with red mud A. This improvement is attributed to the smaller particle size of red mud B, which filled the micro-pores and increased the compactness of the cement stone, as well as its higher content of Na₂O, K₂O, and other free alkalis, which resulted in more obvious alkali activation, accelerating the hydration of the active minerals in the slurry.

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Keywords

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