Abstract
Geopolymers are less energy-demanding alternatives to Portland cement binders. The subject of geopolymer rheology has not yet been fully explored, and the available literature is limited to a narrow range of material compositions. This paper presents the rheological and mechanical response of fly-ash based geopolymer mortars. Investigations were made of the effect of different levels of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) addition levels on the rheological properties of fresh geopolymers as well as their mechanical performances at 2, 14 and 28 days. The aim of the study was to obtain flow curves and to establish the correlation between shear stress and shear rate. The results have shown that geopolymer mortar is a pseudoplastic liquid presenting shear thinning behavior, moreover, with the increase of GGBFS content, higher material strengths were obtained and the total porosity was reduced.
Highlights
Geopolymers are considered low carbon-footprint binders because in the production phase the amount of CO2 generated may amount to only 10% of the carbon dioxide emitted during Portland cement manufacturing [1,2]
Due to the very wide range of raw materials used in the geopolymer technology, both precursors and activators indicate the need of complex analysis the rheology issues in geopolymer mixes
The study results indicate a limited effect of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) on the properties of fresh geopolymer pastes and a clear influence on the increase of the early age compressive strength
Summary
Geopolymers are considered low carbon-footprint binders because in the production phase the amount of CO2 generated may amount to only 10% of the carbon dioxide emitted during Portland cement manufacturing [1,2]. The technological processes related to the production of geopolymers allow the use of solid waste from the industrial and energy sectors [3]. Geopolymer binders are very often presented as alternatives to Portland cement-based materials. Rheological parameters are used to evaluate consistency, loss of workability, stability and pumpability [7,8]. Yield strength and thixotropy as a function of time in combination with the values of the strength parameters that are obtained is extremely important especially in the context of intensively developing 3D printing technology using geopolymer material
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