Multiscale performance and environmental impact assessment of slag and Portland blended cement for optimum carbonation curing

This article presents an investigation into the potential use of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (addressed as Slag cement or ‘SC’) as a replacement to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in hybrid (carbonation and hydration) cured cement-based materials. To investigate the effects of carbonation on mechanical performances and microstructures, 0 %–100 % OPC was replaced with slag cement (SC). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectra were utilized to investigate the carbonation reaction extent, rate, and microstructural phase formations. Slag cement was found to improve the efficiency and rate of carbonation. This study revealed that a minimum of 72 h of carbonation in a CO₂-containing environment yields better mechanical performance compared to the traditional curing method. Specifically, the incorporation of 72 h of carbonation curing was observed to increase the strength of concrete up to 30 % after 28 days of total curing duration (carbonation and hydration). The chloride permeability of the carbonation cured samples was observed to reduce by 80 % due to the addition of SC. Finally, it was observed that, the carbonated concrete sample with slag has nearly 60 % lower global warming potential compared to the carbonated and non-carbonated concrete sample with 100 % OPC binder.