Abstract—Profound research work on the use of different types of clays in mortar and in concrete is done by researchers. There is a general and unanimous conclusion among the researchers that of all the clay available on earth’s crust, Metakaolin (produced from kaolin clay) is a material with maximum pozzolanic reactivity. This pozzolanic reactivity of Metakaolin, depends on its physical characteristics like specific surface area, its amorphousness, the particle size distribution; and these physical attributes in turn depend upon process of dehydroxylation i. e. the degree at which the clay is dehydroxylated and the residence time. The usage of metakaolin in concrete and cement industry requires a good understanding of how these factors affect the strength and durability of concrete when added to it. This paper explains the working of Metakaolin, its hydration mechanism with cement and how it alters the microstructure and enhances the durability and mechanical strength of the concrete when added in concrete which is pivotal to utilize the potential of metakaolin for the research work in this industry.
Index Terms—Amorphousness, dehydroxylation, durability, hydration mechanism, pozzolanicity.
Sonal Shah is with Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, India 395007 (e-mail: sonalshahtripathi@ boulder.gmail.com).
Satish Desai is with Applied Mechanics Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, India 395007 (e-mail: snd_02@hotmail.com.).
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Cite: Sonal Shah and S. N. Desai, "Suitability of Metakaolin in Concrete," International Journal of Engineering and Technology vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 394-397, 2018.
