Abstract
Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is typically produced using large amounts of lime, which leads to considerablecarbon emissions. Steel slag has been identified as a potential substitute for lime; however, it typicallyreduces foaming efficiency and increases bulk density. Due to limited research on enhancing the foaming performanceof steel slag-based AAC, the effects of polyacrylamide (PAM) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose(HPMC) as foam stabilizers were investigated in this study. The influences of PAM and HPMC on pore structure,hydration behavior, and autoclaving reactions were systematically analyzed. Under alkaline conditions (NaOH),the addition of 0.03 % PAM and HPMC significantly improved pore uniformity, and the mesopore porosity wasincreased by 72.9 % and 75.2 %, respectively. The resulting AAC exhibited bulk densities of 617.1 kg/m~3 (PAM)and 609.2 kg/m~3 (HPMC), and compressive strengths of 3.7 Mpa and 3.5 Mpa, respectively, meeting the GB/T11968–2020 standards (grades B06 and A3.5). The thickening and water film formation effects of the foamstabilizers optimized the foaming performance and pore structure. The complexation and adsorption interactionsbetween the stabilizers regulated the reaction pathways, promoting the crystallization of tobermorite. Thesefindings demonstrate the dual function of PAM and HPMC in optimizing pore structure and regulating hydrationproducts, offering an effective strategy to enhance the performance and resource efficiency of steel slag-fly ashbased AAC.
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