Effect of curing conditions on compressive strength behavior on alkali-activated ceramic wastes

Abstract

The industrial sector is responsible for the generation of a large amount of solid waste, of which some is partially recycled, but the majority is deposited in landfills or landfills causing various negative impacts on the environment. Alkaline cements are attracting growing interest for their potential to allow the industry to operate within the constraints imposed on CO2 emissions. The objective of this research was to know the effect of different curing conditions on the compressive strength behavior of alkaline activated ceramic residues. As a result, it was determined that an alkali-activated matrix is significantly influenced when cured at a temperature of 70 ° C, reaching, at 90 days of age, a compressive strength of up to 39.3 MPa in contrast to 27.08 MPa. when curing was carried out in environmental conditions of 20 ° C (± 0.5 ° C) and 60% (± 5%) of relative humidity (RH). This work was complemented with a microstructural analysis that included Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Energy Dispersion Analyzer (EDX).