Performance of Lightweight Self Cured Geopolymer Tiles

Abstract

Recent investigation proved that the major threat produced by the cement industries can be prevented by using a unique type of concrete called geopolymer. Here, the strength and heat based properties of light weight self-cured geopolymer tiles are investigated. The mix is prepared by taking Sodium hydroxide solution of 10 M, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio as 2.5, liquid to flyash ratio of 0.4 as the base, Superplasticizer CONPLAST SP430 which is of Napthalene based is used to improve geopolymer concrete’s operability. Here calcium rich GGBS and OPC are added at an interval of 1% as additives in the range of 5 -10%. A tile at ambient curing with 10% of GGBS showed a better outcome of 37.5% than the oven cured one. Inorder to make geopolymer as a good thermal insulating material with adequate strength, different types of foaming agents are added to the geopolymer mix. Foaming agents helps in developing pores inside the specimen which makes them light in weight. Here, hydrogen peroxide is used as foaming agent, which is added to the geopolymer mix in the range of 0.5-1.5% at the interval of 0.5%. 0.5% of hydrogen peroxide showed a better strength in bending such as 81.3% higher than the other and also shows good thermal property.