Hydration and Pb Stabilization Mechanisms of Fly Ash–Slag-Based Mine Backfilling Binders

To completely replace Portland cement for mine backfilling, MSWI fly ash (FA) and solid metallurgical wastes (ground granulated blast furnace slag, steel slag and flue gas desulphurisation gypsum) were used to prepare fly ash-slag-based binder (FBB). The effect of FA content on the hydration and Pb stabilization mechanisms of the FBB was investigated. When a small amount (15%) of FA was added to FBB, hydration product formation and compressive strength were inhibited during early curing (7 d). However, the additional Ca²⁺, SO₄²⁻ and OH⁻ carried by FA could partially promote the formation of ettringite, so that the compressive strength of 28 d was comparable to that of the treatment without FA addition (32.5 MPa). When a high amount of FA (30%) was added, the hydration process was strongly inhibited throughout the entire curing period, and the leaching concentration of Zn (1052 μg/L) exceeded the limits of the GB/T 30760–2014 standard (1000 μg/L). Pb²⁺ was also found to replace Ca²⁺ in ettringite to form insoluble Pb-ettringite and Pb₂(SO₄)O precipitates, resulting in remarkable Pb stabilisation in system. Therefore, if the amount of FA incorporated is appropriate, the use of FA as an additional cementitious material for mine backfilling is an ideal method for recycling FA.