Accelerating the Polymerization Process of Fly Ash by Microwave

Abstract

Fly ash is the solid waste from thermal power plants. It is a big problem with ecology. Using fly ash in addition to the Portland cement is the beneficial resolution, the most rest have been landfilled. On other hand, fly ash is an aluminosilicate containing amorphous silica with fine sizes, it can react very well in alkaline solution and then condense to form new bonds. In this study, fly ash was used in a chemical reaction with alkaline activators to produce a new form of concrete, known as geopolymer. The reaction time has been shortened by using a technique of semi – dry pressing and microwave oven heating. The new binder formed by this method has been tested by modern analytical methods such as Röntghen diffraction analysis (XRD), Infrared Spectrum (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results indicated that the geopolymer products with a relatively high compressive strength of about 50 MPa are suitable for use as backfill materials, reclamation materials, and unbaked building materials.