Microstructure and porosity evolution of alkali activated slag at various heating temperatures

This paper elucidated the microstructural and porosity evolution of alkali activated slag at 800 °C up to 1200 °C. The microstructural analysis obtained shows the changes in surface densification of glassy phase and nucleation of dynamical grains within the alkali activated slag when in contact with high heating temperature. Using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy, the number of pores in alkali activated slag decreased with increasing heating temperature. The 3D pores distribution also demonstrated significant increase in the range size of ~20 μm with the appearance of isolated and intergranular pores at 1200 °C. These changes also led to the anorthite crystallisation indicated by high angle grain boundaries and preferred crystal orientation. The evolution of porosity and crystalline phase is contributed to the development of internal strain after heating at high temperature environment. •Microstructure and porosity evolution of alkali activated slag at high temperature environment are investigated.•Synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy depicted the details of 3D pores distribution.•Grain boundaries, misorientation angle, polar figure and internal strain are obtain.