Research on alkali-activated cementitious systems in China: a review

Since the birth of clinkerless alkali-slag cements in the early 1960s, many researchers have been attracted to this field. These materials have great potential because of their low energy cost, good performance and simple production technology. Many cheap, locally available natural resources, industrial products or industrial by-products have been tried as alkaline activators of the potential reactivity of various mineral admixtures. There are three objectives: to produce various clinkerless cements; to improve the performances of blended cements; to use industrial by-products or natural resources to the utmost extent. This Paper summarizes recent achievements in this field in China.