Effects of elevated temperature on pumice based geopolymer composites

Aluminosilicate type materials can be activated in alkaline environment and can produce geopolymer cements with low environmental impacts. Geopolymers are believed to provide good fire resistance so the effects of elevated temperatures on mechanical and microstructural properties of pumice based geopolymer were investigated in this study. Pumice based geopolymer was exposed to elevated temperatures of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800°C for 3 h. The residual strength of these specimens were determined after cooling at room temperature as well as ultrasonic pulse velocity, and the density of pumice based geopolymer pastes before and after exposing to high temperature was determined. Microstructures of these samples were investigated by Fourier transform infrared for all temperatures and SEM analyses for samples that were exposed to 200, 400, 600 and 800°C. Specimens, which were initially grey, turned whitish accompanied by the appearance of cracks as temperatures increased to 600 and 800°C. Consequently, compressive strength losses in geopolymer paste were increased with increasing temperature level. On the other hand, compressive strength of geopolymer paste was less affected by high temperature in comparison with the ordinary Portland cement. As a result of this study, it is concluded that pumice based geopolymer is useful in compressive strength losses exposed to elevated temperatures.