Properties of concrete containing a new cement-grade metakaolin

The supply of economical good quality supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) such as fly ash is increasingly being challenged due to availability issues, transportation costs, and technical problems. The use of processed natural pozzolans, such as metakaolin in the production of concrete has engineering, economic, and ecological benefits to the construction industry. This paper presents the results of a study on the suitability for new cement grade metakaolin called Whitemud ^MK (WM). The chemical and physical characteristics of this material are determined in comparison with traditional metakaolinite (MK). The effect of cement replacement by WM on the hydration properties as well as the engineering characteristics of selected samples are investigated by means of XRD, TGA, SEM, strength measurements and chlorides penetrability. The results demonstrate comparable engineering properties to MK when cement is replaced by WM for up to 15%.