What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the feasibility and performance of utilizing copper slag both as a binder precursor and as an artificial fine aggregate substitute for natural sand in alkali-activated mortars.

August 19, 2026BuildingsOpen Access

Performance Evaluation of Copper Slag as Precursor and Fine Aggregate in Alkali-Activated Mortars

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Authors

YUYimmy Fernando Silva Urrego IFIgnacio Faúndez VUVicente Uribe-Uribe

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Overview

Experimental study reveals that replacing natural sand and cement with copper slag yields high-strength alkali-activated mortars, highlighting sustainable circular construction alternatives.

Key Points

To evaluate the feasibility and performance of utilizing copper slag both as a binder precursor and as an artificial fine aggregate substitute for natural sand in alkali-activated mortars.
Formulated binder matrices combining 80% copper slag and 20% hydraulic cement, activated with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions at activator-to-precursor mass ratios of 0.15 to 0.35.
Replaced natural sand with copper slag artificial fine aggregate at volumetric ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.
Evaluated workability, physical parameters (bulk density, void content, water absorption), and compressive strength development across 7, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing.
Workability improved by up to 23.8% with higher artificial fine aggregate content, alongside monotonic increases in bulk density and reductions in both water absorption and void content.
Early compressive strengths at 7 and 28 days were significantly lower across all alkali-activated mortars compared to reference mortar, but differences diminished over time.
Mortars with 75% and 100% copper slag fine aggregate reached 56-day and 90-day compressive strengths that were not statistically different from the reference mortar.

Cite This Study

Urrego et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a85642503308d306e2d7b6f https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16163245

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August 19, 2026BuildingsOpen Access

Performance Evaluation of Copper Slag as Precursor and Fine Aggregate in Alkali-Activated Mortars

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

YUYimmy Fernando Silva Urrego IFIgnacio Faúndez VUVicente Uribe-Uribe

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Experimental study reveals that replacing natural sand and cement with copper slag yields high-strength alkali-activated mortars, highlighting sustainable circular construction alternatives.

Key Points

To evaluate the feasibility and performance of utilizing copper slag both as a binder precursor and as an artificial fine aggregate substitute for natural sand in alkali-activated mortars.
Formulated binder matrices combining 80% copper slag and 20% hydraulic cement, activated with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions at activator-to-precursor mass ratios of 0.15 to 0.35.
Replaced natural sand with copper slag artificial fine aggregate at volumetric ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.
Evaluated workability, physical parameters (bulk density, void content, water absorption), and compressive strength development across 7, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing.
Workability improved by up to 23.8% with higher artificial fine aggregate content, alongside monotonic increases in bulk density and reductions in both water absorption and void content.
Early compressive strengths at 7 and 28 days were significantly lower across all alkali-activated mortars compared to reference mortar, but differences diminished over time.
Mortars with 75% and 100% copper slag fine aggregate reached 56-day and 90-day compressive strengths that were not statistically different from the reference mortar.

Cite This Study

Urrego et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a85642503308d306e2d7b6f https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16163245

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