Reactivity Improvement Characteristics of Weathered Feldspar through Activation Technique

Feldspar, along with Quartz, are the most frequently produced minerals in Korea; however, the potential value is estimated to be significantly low because of the scarce research on the development and application of material properties, except for their limited use in manufacturing minerals, glass, and paints. In this study, we analyzed the eco-friendly material and reactivity improvement characteristics of weathered feldspar through activation technique. The joint structural features observed on the surface of the weathered feldspar show that the joint arrangements are irregularly distributed, and the cavities are interconnected. Due to the irregularly connected cavities on the surface of weathered feldspar, the reaction area of the weathered feldspar is increased; hence the weathered feldspar is considered as a highly reactive pozzolan material when combined with cement. As a result of applying the thermal, mechanical, and chemical activation techniques to improve the functionality of the weathered feldspar, the cation exchange capacity, density, and uniaxial compression strength characteristics were improved. It is considered that weathered feldspar by these porous characteristics can be used as an eco-friendly construction material with excellent physical and chemical properties.