Effect of Mixing Procedure and Chemical Composition on Physical and Mechanical Performance of Geopolymers

Abstract

Nowadays geopolymer is promising and relevant material that can be effectively used in wide range of application areas. It is possible because of there are a lot of potential sources of raw materials for geopolymer synthesis. Raw components are the one of the key parameters that effect on geopolymer performance. On the other hands, the technological stages of geopolymer synthesis is no less important factor. The purpose of this study was to determine effect of technological parameters of geopolymer synthesis such as component composition of solid state phase, alkaline activator preparation and its introduction onto geopolymer paste as well as curing temperature on performance characteristics of geopolymer. Fly-ash based geopolymer samples were prepared with adding of different mineral components: Portland cement (PC), kaolin, metakaolin; different curing temperature conditions: ambient temperature and temperature treatment at 70 °C in oven during 24 hours; different methods of preparation and application of alkaline activator: using of fresh alkaline solution and using alkaline solution after 24 hours of cooling. The results show that efficiency of curing temperature conditions strongly depend on component composition of geopolymer paste. Samples, containing PC and metakaolin demonstrate better characteristics after curing under ambient temperature. Samples, containing kaolin and reference composition (fly ash only) the temperature treatment in oven is the best curing method (increasing in compressive strength up to 13 times). Using alkaline solution of NaOH after 24 hours of cooling gives a good effect on geopolymerization process and provides increasing in compressive strength value from 13 to 84 % for all experimental geopolymer pastes. However, average density for all compositions is varied slightly.