Pozzolanic evaluation of the sugar cane leaf

• Main Authors: A. Guzmán, C. Gutiérrez, V. Amigó, R. Mejía de Gutiérrez, S. Delvasto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2011-06-01
• Series: Materiales de Construccion
• Subjects: pozzolan; portland cement; amorphous material; calcium hydroxide; mortar
• Online Access: http://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc/article/view/630

This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the sugarcane leaf, burnt under controlled conditions in order to obtain a reactive ash with pozzolanic properties. Chemical analysis, amorphousity and surface structure of the sugar cane straw ash (SCSA) were studied by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of this research showed that SCSA has significant presence of amorphous material and a high content of silica (81.0%). The pozzolanic activity of the SCSA was evaluated by the Fratini test and the pozzolanic activity index. In order to interpretate the pozzolan activity, the Feret method was used. It is conclude that the SCSA presents pozzolanic characteristics for blending Portland cement.