Effect of Mixture Compositions on Workability and Strength of Fly Ash-Based Inorganic Polymer Mortar

Abstract

In this study, the effects of mixture compositions on the workability and compressive strength of fly ash-based inorganic polymer mortar are investigated. In particular the role of mixtures constituents is carefully examined in light of possible polymerization mechanisms. Mixture constituents include fly ash (FA), metakaolin (Meta), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), silica fume (SF), water and sand The range of investigation parameters includes Meta/FA from 0 to 30%, NaOH/ (FA+Meta) from 0 to 12.5%, and SF/(FA+Meta) from 0 to 12.5%. The ratio of sand to (FA+Meta) and water to (FA+Meta) is fixed for all batches at 1.2 and 0.3, respectively. The slump and demold ages of each sample type are measured, as well as the compressive strength of the prism samples at 1 day, 7 days, 28 days, and 90 days. The test results are presented and discussed on account of polymerization reactions based on sol-gel chemistry when possible. It has been shown that suitable mixture compositions are critical in achieving rapid strength gain; useful guidelines on such optimal compositions may be obtained from sol-gel modeling.