Experimental Planning of Mixtures to Obtain Geopolymer

Abstract

This work had the aim to optimize the synthesis process of a geopolymer using experimental planning of mixtures. The geopolymer was prepared with different proportions of bauxite mud (R), rice husk ash (C) and metakaolin (M). The aluminosilicatealkaline activation was made with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution of 12 mol/L. Afterwards, the obtained material was submitted through a thermal treatment for 6 hours in an oven followed by a cure time of 28 days at room temperature. The final material was characterized through combinations of different techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction. Through carefully analysis of the flexural strength results, it was possible to conclude that the geopolymeric material (R6C2M) had a greater resistance in the seventh cure day at 0.6 MPa, however, it also can be said that the other samples presented an increase in the resistance over the 28 days of cure time.