Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : In this study, the self-healing of cracks in four alkali-activated slag (AAS) systems modified by superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) is studied. The formation of carbonate precipitate is the main healing mechanism and further AAS hydration is inferior. Self-healing ability in water glass-activated slag (WG-AAS) system is the weakest because Ca2+ appears to be challenging to leach, and it must rely on CO2 in the air to form carbonate precipitates. Although the leached Ca2+ concentration in the Ca(OH)2-activated slag (CH-AAS system) was the highest, carbonate precipitation was also limited by the source of CO32−. Na2CO3 as an alkali activator in the Na2CO3-activated slag (SC-AAS) and Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2-activated slag (SCCH-AAS) systems provides a higher potential for the formation of carbonate precipitates, so it had a better healing ratio than the CH-AAS system. SAPs can improve the healing ratio by the swelling effect in the cracks and by promoting the formation of carbonate precipitates.