In situ x-ray diffraction at high temperatures: Formation of Ca$_{2}$SiO$_{4}$ and ternesite in recycled autoclaved aerated concrete

Abstract

This study provides an insight into possible recycling processes for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) at low temperatures (<1000 °C). Belite binders were synthesized from wastes of AAC by the addition of CaCO$_{3}$ and adaption of the molar CaO/SiO$_{2}$ (C/S ratio) in the range of 2 to 2.5. An in situ XRD study performed during heating up to 1000 °C and subsequent quenching to room temperature evidenced the formation of ternesite besides C$_{2}$S in sulfate-containing systems. Several factors influencing the reaction kinetics and the evolution of the phase composition were investigated thoroughly. Increased sulfate content and dwelling time during heating increase the ternesite content and promote the formation of highly crystalline α’H-C$_{2}$S. The C/S-ratio of the starting materials has to be adjusted to the sulfate content in order to prevent the formation of ternesite at the expense of C$_{2}$S. Ternesite remains stable during quenching to room temperature or even increases in amount, except in cases of very low cooling rates or high residual quartz contents (C/S-ratio ≤ 2). Temperature and range of α’H-C$_{2}$S to β-C$_{2}$S phase transition on quenching strongly depend on the cooling rate. The onset temperature for β-C$_{2}$S formation varies between 540 °C (slow quench) and 450 °C (fast quench). Thermal expansion coefficients of ternesite are calculated showing similarity with C$_{2}$S. The incorporation of CaSO$_{4}$ modules in the structure switches the direction of maximum compression