Physico-mechanical and microstructural properties of geopolymers under the influence of different sulphates

Mehmet Kaya; Haydar Koç

doi:10.7764/RDLC.25.1.193

Authors

Mehmet Kaya Department of Civil Engineering, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat (Turkiye)
Haydar Koç Yozgat Municipality, Yozgat (Turkiye)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7764/RDLC.25.1.193

Keywords:

Geopolymer, durability, compressive strength, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate.

Abstract

To contribute to sustainable environmental protection studies, the durability and strength properties of geopolymer, which is known as more eco- friendly than ordinary Portland cement, have been a phenomenon among many researchers in recent years. In this study, the durability properties of geopolymer mortars containing C Class fly ash (FA) added with silica fume (SF) were investigated under the influence of sodium sulfate (NS) and magnesium sulfate (MS). Within the scope of the study, FA geopolymer mortar samples were produced with fixed ratios of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 3 different ratios of silica fume additive (5%, 10%, 15%). The samples were kept at room temperature for up to 28 days after production. Their physic-mechanical properties were examined. The samples were placed in NS and MS solution. Length and weight changes, flexural and compressive strengths of the samples were measured for 30 days, 90 days and 180 days. As a result of the experiments, it was observed that the samples produced by activating with NaOH didn’t lose strength at a high ratio, while the compressive strength (CS) of the samples produced by activating with KOH and under the influence of sulfate increased on the 30th day. It was determined that the CS of the samples under the influence of NS reached 75.14 MPa at 30 curing days and the samples under the influence of MS reached 64.31 MPa. In general, the produced samples were found to be resistant to sulfate effects.

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