Handbook of Alkali-Activated Cements, Mortars and Concretes, p. 293-318
DOI: 10.1533/9781782422884.3.293
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This chapter presents the susceptibility of alkali-activated binders to freeze-thaw cycles, which could lead to internal cracking and/or surface scaling. Since alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are porous, the action of frost cannot be neglected. After having described the forms of frost damage and the mechanisms and significant parameters of frost action, a synthesis of the results found in the literature regarding frost resistance of alkali-activated binders based on slag, fly ash and metakaolin is presented. AAM can suffer from internal cracking and surface scaling but alkali-activated binders generally tend to be less affected by frost than Portland cement. The porous network, especially the air entrained properties, seems to be important, as for Portland cement concrete.