Magnesium Slag-Activated One-Part Geopolymer Concretes: A Viable Supplementary Pathway Toward Low-Carbon Concrete Production

Amid growing environmental concerns, resource depletion, and the pressing challenges of industrial waste management, this study investigates the potential of magnesium slag (MS) as a sustainable alternative binder in the production of one-part geopolymer concretes (OPGCs). The objective is to reduce reliance on conventional cementitious materials while promoting the valorization of industrial by-products in construction practices. For this purpose, ten different mixtures were designed by replacing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), the conventional aluminosilicate precursor, with MS, an innovative aluminosilicate precursor, at replacement levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% by weight, using a solid activator. The fresh and hardened properties of these mixtures were systematically evaluated through slump, setting time, density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and strength tests, while microstructural characterization was also conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to further investigate the geopolymerization process, elemental distribution, and the role of MS in binder formation in OPGC. The results revealed that MS incorporation significantly influenced both workability and mechanical performance, and it was confirmed that MS actively participates in geopolymerization and can be effectively utilized up to a certain threshold. Replacement levels up to 30% were found to maintain acceptable mechanical performance, providing evidence that MS is a promising precursor for developing sustainable OPGC.