Correlation between microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties of thermo-insulation bonding agents based on waste material

Building composites - thermo-insulating and/or high-temperature resistant bonding agents in which fly ash, as potentially environmentally harmful waste material, is combined with ordinary and refractory cement is new option for reapplication of this waste material. In this study, investigated bonding agents were based on two types of fly ashes from coal combustion process and cements - ordinary Portland cement and highaluminate cement. Change of mineral phase composition of the composites with increasing temperature was analyzed by means of XRD method. Microstructural changes within investigated composites were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Macro-performance - mechanical properties of the investigated bonding agents was finally correlated with its microstructure. The investigated bonding agents showed excellent compressive strength, while SEM and XRD analysis indicated its valuable refractory and thermo-insulation properties. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 172057 i br. 45008]