Title:
Microstructural Evolution and Performance of Red Mud-Incorporated Cement Composites under Carbonation Curing
Author(s):
Muhammad Talha Shafique, Henry Ssenyonjo, Salman Siddique, Hammad R. Khalid, and Asad Hanif
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
370
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
125-138
Keywords:
Carbonation Curing, Calcium Carbonate, Red Mud Utilization, pH regulation CO2 uptake
DOI:
10.14359/51751754
Date:
5/1/2026
Abstract:
Alternative methods are needed to reduce the negative impacts of the cement industry as a main contributor to CO2 emissions. This research investigates red mud utilization as a partial cement replacement with CO2 curing to decrease the carbon footprint of the cement industry. Mortar and paste specimens with partial substitution of red mud at 0 to 15% were prepared and exposed to 72 hours of carbonation curing. Fresh properties, including flow and setting time, compressive strength, pH evolution, drying shrinkage, and microstructural characteristics, including FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDS, were evaluated. The increased amounts of red mud decreased the mixtures’ flowability and increased the setting times. This also led to a decrease in the strength of the specimens due to a decrease in the cementitious material. The strength was improved by the carbonation curing due to calcite formation and the densification of the pore structure. Red mud incorporation helps maintain higher pore alkalinity in carbonated specimens due to its strongly alkaline phases. Microstructural analysis confirmed the precipitation of calcium carbonate, with FTIR revealing calcite formation on the surface of specimens and amorphous CaCO₃ within the specimen core. XRD further validated the formation of calcite in specimens exposed to carbonation.
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