Abstract
The need to increase the durability of clay-based materials, due to their inherent low strength and vulnerability in contact with water, led researchers to examine different options. In this paper, clay mortars were produced using four different activating solutions. Alkali hydroxides, alkali carbonates, and alkali silicates activating solutions were used. Interest is given to long term properties while their behavior to wetting–drying and freeze–thaw cycles is recorded. In total, the results of the experiments indicated the positive effect of the potassium metasilicate on mechanical characteristics presenting, however, low performance at wetting–drying. The combination of sodium metasilicate with sodium hydroxide solution has also presented a positive effect on both mechanical and physical properties. In contrast, sodium carbonate acted better in enhancing physical properties and granting water-resistant abilities. Moreover, the performance of the specimens mixed with water–glass addition presented excellent volume stability and low mass loss in durability tests.
Highlights
Low-cost materials that result from binders using activating solutions represent a sustainable option in the construction sector, for compatible and durable repair works and as alternative solutions for new constructions
The preferable heating temperatures to achieve the polymerization of an aluminosilicate precursor such as clay are between 60 ◦ C and 90 ◦ C [7]
The manufactured specimens were rectangular with dimensions (40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm) that were used in every test conducted in this study besides open porosity
Summary
Low-cost materials that result from binders using activating solutions represent a sustainable option in the construction sector, for compatible and durable repair works and as alternative solutions for new constructions. Chemical modification of earthen materials is likely to be achieved through inorganic polymerization. Alkali-activated products occur by dissolving through thermal treatment of the aluminosilicate network contained in a solid material which is called the precursor by using an alkali solution called the activator [6]. The suitability of these aluminosilicate solid materials as precursors for the alkali activation process is a subject that should, in all cases, be examined before application. The preferable heating temperatures to achieve the polymerization of an aluminosilicate precursor such as clay are between 60 ◦ C and 90 ◦ C [7].
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