PROPERTIES OF METAKAOLIN CONCRETE – A REVIEW

The use of cement supplementary materials in structural concrete is widely accepted by the construction industry for technical, economical and environmental reasons. Metakaolin (MK), produced by calcining kaolinite at high temperature is suitable for concrete production due to its pozzolanic property. This paper reviews the some of the research published on effects of using MK on engineering properties of structural concrete as a cement replacement material. The review shows that the use of relatively finer MK to partially replace cement reduces the consistency of concrete and enhanced the strengths, deformational and durability properties of concrete. MK is most effective in enhancing compressive strength (particularly at early ages) compared to other strengths and modulus of elasticity was least improved. Drying shrinkage and creep of MK concretes are lower than those for the control concrete. The high pozzolanic reactivity of MK with calcium hydroxide contributes to both porosity reduction and pore-structure refinement in the pastes and concrete. As the consequence, the durability of concrete is improved through increased resistance to chloride penetration and controlled expansion, due to alkali-silica reaction and sodium sulphate attack