*3.2. Factors Affecting the Mechanical Performance of LACs-AM* 3.2.1. Mixing Methods

Three dosages of ER (1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0%) and two mixing methods (Method 1 and Method 2) were applied to investigate the effect of different ER dosages and mixing methods on the mechanical performance of LCA-AMs, the results of which are shown in Table 10. From Table 10, using Method 1 slightly improves the mechanical performance of the LCA-AM, with 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0% EP increasing the MS by 2.51%, 6.22% and 15.34%, respectively. Using Method 2 greatly improves the MS of LCAs-AM, by 80.56%, 92.86% and 98.02% for 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0% EP, respectively. The improvement of 1.0% EP on the MS is more than 30 times greater with Method 2 than with Method 1. Therefore, the mechanical performance of LCAs-AM is much better using Method 2 than Method 1.


**Table 10.** MS of LCA-AMs prepared with different mixing methods.

By using Method 1, the curing reaction is already finished during the 110 ◦C curing process, and it cannot further enhance the mechanical performance during the secondary mixing, compaction and curing processes of the LCA-AM. Therefore, the ER effect on improving the mechanical performance is greatly decreased for Method 1. However, by using Method 2, the curing reaction and strength formation of ER happen after the manufacturing of the LCA-AM specimens, so it can produce an obvious reinforcing effect on the mechanical performance of LCA-AMs.

#### 3.2.2. ER Dosage

Four different dosages of ER (0.3%, 0.6%, 1.0% and 2.0%) are applied to LAC-AMs and compared to LAC-AM without ER. The mechanical performance results are shown in Figure 6. It can be seen that the MS of 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.0% and 2.0% ER-reinforced LCA-AMs are 12.11%, 20.54%, 32.27% and 41.28% higher than those of the original AM, and 56.35%, 68.11%, 84.46% and 97.03% higher than that of the LCA-AM without ER. With the addition of only 0.3% ER, the mechanical performance of the ER-reinforced LCA-AM is more than 50% higher than that of the LCA-AM without ER, which shows that the addition of a small amount of ER can effectively improve the mechanical performance of LCA-AMs.

**Figure 6.** MS of LCA-AMs with different dosages of ER.

*3.3. Mixture Performance of LCA-AMs*
