Feasibility and strength properties of the geopolymeric binder made of fly ash suspension

Abstract

Geopolymeric binders, or in general geopolymers, are nowadays applied in many different branches of the industry –also in building construction. This relatively new group of inorganic materials has similar strength properties as ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and in some features, it is even better (for example in terms of fire resistance or chemical resistance). It is also environmentally friendly material because industrial or mining tailings are used as its main components and the production process is not so energy consuming as in case of OPC. Paper presents laboratory research focusing on the curing temperature impact on strength properties of geopolymeric binder made of fly ash suspension. Besides the suspension which is a waste product from coal power plant, also recycled ground glass and metakaolin were used as the additions. The chemical activator of geopolimerisation reaction was prepared with the use of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. Prism samples 40x40x160 mm were done and then the flexural and compressive strength tests were performed. The paper also presents the impact of covering the moulds during heat curing on condition of geopolymeric binder samples.