Abstract
The preparation and characterization of metakaolin-based geopolymer mortars containing an organic epoxy resin are presented here for the first time. The specimens have been prepared by means of an innovative in situ co-reticulation process, in mild conditions, of commercial epoxy based organic resins and geopolymeric slurry. In this way, geopolymer based hybrid mortars characterized by a different content of normalized sand (up to 66% in weight) and by a homogeneous dispersion of the organic resin have been obtained. Once hardened, these new materials show improved compressive strength and toughness in respect to both the neat geopolymer and the hybrid pastes since the organic polymer provides a more cohesive microstructure, with a reduced amount of microcracks. The microstructural characterization allows to point out the presence of an Interfacial Transition Zone similar to that observed in cement based mortars and concretes. A correlation between microstructural features and mechanical properties has been studied too.
Highlights
The term “geopolymer” was first used by J
The synthesis of geopolymers takes place starting from reactive precursors such as metakaolin or many other natural and artificial silico-aluminates, which are mixed with alkali metal (Na or K) hydroxide and/or silicate solutions [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Novel hybrid geopolymeric mortars containing Epojet® and EpojetLV® resins were prepared, and their physical-mechanical properties were compared with the geopolymeric mortar specimen and with the corresponding pastes
Summary
The term “geopolymer” was first used by J. [36], the authors have prepared novel organic-inorganic hybrid composites, adding epoxy resins to geopolymer, through an innovative synthetic approach based on a co-reticulation in mild conditions of organic and inorganic components, producing an intimate and homogeneous dispersion of the organic phase into the inorganic one Through this novel synthetic approach, polymeric composites are not obtained by adding the organic polymer as fibers or emulsion as usually reported in the literature, but the resin is allowed to crosslink in situ during the geopolymerization reaction. In order to face the issues previously described and, at the same time, to improve the technological properties of the geopolymeric mortars, in this paper novel geopolymeric mortars containing epoxy resins with different sand content have been produced Their physical and mechanical performances have been compared with neat geopolymer MK-based mortar and pastes. It is worth pointing out that, to the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first attempt to produce and characterize hybrid geopolymer-epoxy resin mortars
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
