Abstract
In the present study, physico-chemical investigations have been carried out on the possibility of using Cameroonian volcanic or clay pozzolans as raw material for geopolymer or pozzolanic binder. The research had made some suggestive results and conclusions. Powders of less than 100 μm of five sampled pozzolans from volcanic or clay origins have been subjected to chemical and mineralogical analysis, BET specific surface, absolute density, granulometry and pozzolanic activity in solution tests. The results obtained showed that, geopolymers or pozzolanic binders can be produced from samples studied. The samples contain significant amounts of glassy or amorphous phase ready to dissolve in an alkaline solution. The high alkali content of volcanic pozzolans makes them more appropriate for geopolymer application. Clay pozzolans are the easier to grind in order to obtain the appropriate fineness and can be used for both geo- polymers and pozzolanic binders.
Highlights
Environmental considerations and energy requirements have motivated researchers in recent decades to search for sustainability in the Portland cement industry [1,2,3,4]
Clay pozzolans are the easier to grind in order to obtain the appropriate fineness and can be used for both geopolymers and pozzolanic binders
ASTM C-618 [25] recommends the following compositions for thermally activated or natural pozzolans used as additives in cement: SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3: 70.0% minimum; SO3: 4.0% maximum; MgO: 5.0% maximum; Na2O: 1.5% maximum; Loss on ignition: 10.0% maximum
Summary
Environmental considerations and energy requirements have motivated researchers in recent decades to search for sustainability in the Portland cement industry [1,2,3,4]. Geopolymers are a group of cement-like materials that are formed by reacting silicarich or alumina-rich solids with a solution of alkali-salts resulting in a mixture of gels and crystalline coumpounds that eventually harden into new strong compounds. They can gain reasonable strength in a short time. Several clay deposits of a greater or lesser importance are scattered throughout the territory [16] Some of them such as the deposits of Mayoum (Western Region) and Etoa (Central Region) have been studied for use in ceramics [17,18]. The major chemical elements, the mineralogy, the grindability, the densities and the pozzolanic activity in solution of samples were investigated
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