This work presents the study of effect of mechanical activation on the properties of glass concrete binder, based on mechanically activated glass and calcium oxide. The goal of the study was to identify patterns of changes in the microstructure and phase composition of the material with different durations of grinding and subsequent hydration.
We found that under mechanical activation for 12 minutes, all calcium oxide enters into a chemical reaction with the formation of the mineral combeyite (Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉). Further hydration of the material leads to the transformation of combeyite into diverite (Na₂Ca₃Si₆O₁₆) and wollastonite (CaSiO₃). The microstructure is characterized by lamellar structures, an increase in strength is provided by a decrease in the particle size and an increase in the chemical interaction of the components.
It is shown that the duration of mechanical activation has a significant effect on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the material. A correlation was established between the duration of grinding and the strength and elastic modulus indices. Thermal and moisture treatment additionally increases the strength of the material, reaching values over 100 MPa.
The obtained results demonstrate the potential of the proposed technology for creating highly efficient building materials with specified physical and technical characteristics, contributing to the savings of traditional cement binders and reducing the pollution of the construction industry.