Alkali-activated slag cellular concrete with expanded polystyrene (EPS) – physical, mechanical, and mineralogical properties

With better deformation capacity and less resistance than conventional concrete, cellular concrete with expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a more suitable alternative for obtaining concrete with a low specific mass. Since the late 1980s, alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) without Portland cement has been gaining attention. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to analyze blast furnace slag as a binder in the mixture of cellular concrete with EPS; further, the effects of the variation in water/binder ratios (w/b) on the characteristics of the foam have not been sufficiently studied. Tests using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, ultrasound, resistance to axial compression, and absorption demonstrate the behavior of cellular concrete with an apparent density below 800 kg/m³ and mechanical resistance of 3 MPa. This work introduces an innovative application of the AASC for producing cellular concrete using EPS, as the foam with this type of binder seems more common. •Alkali-activated slag cellular concrete (AASCC) shows mechanical performance above traditional cellular concrete;•The production of AASCC using expanded polystyrene (EPS) proved to be feasible and even allowed the binder savings;•AASCC obtained presents densities between 350 and 800 kg/m3 and compressive strength between 1 and 3 MPa.