Hydration process of alkali-activated slag and wind turbine blade waste composites

The global interest in wind power as a renewable energy source and the adoption of wind turbines has sparked increasing worry regarding the handling and disposal of wind turbine blade waste (WTBW). These blades are being deposited mainly in landfills, but the waste remains the reactivity as a construction material. This study explores the possibility of utilizing crushed blade waste as a precursor for geopolymer, which can save construction resources, simultaneously lowering the cost and CO₂ emissions. Different percentages of WTBW were used to replace slag under sodium hydroxide activation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), isothermal calorimeter, compressive strength testing, and leaching testing were used to evaluate the activated matrix. Results show that the WTBW inhibits the hydration process of alkali activated slag/WTBW (AASW), but the leaching of AASW shows are well below EU limits in terms of construction materials.