Production of geopolymer composites by using different alkaline solution/material ratio

This study reports an experimental program to optimize mix design parameters of fly ash-based geopolymer engineering composites. Fly ash (FA) supplied from Çatalağzı Thermal Power Plant (Zonguldak, Turkey) and Rilem Cembureau Standard Sand were used together with a constant ratio of 0.50 for producing geopolymer. In the first step, two different alkaline solution/material ratio (FA+standard sand) (L/M) were determined as 0.20 and 0.40, respectively. After that, sodium silicate ((Na2SiO3) and 12M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were utilized at a ratio of 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 6 mixtures obtained by using different design parameters were cured at 70 °C for 24 hours, respectively, and then they were stored at room temperature until testing age. While the physical properties of the samples were measured by the bulk density and water absorption tests at 28 days, mechanical properties were tested via the compressive and flexural strength tests at 90 days, respectively. The results indicated that the highest compressive strength for geopolymer materials was found as 36.5 MPa in the mixture produced with the ratios of L/M=0.2 and Na2SiO3/NaOH=2 (by weight). However, less alkali reaction caused by using excessive activator solutions decreased the strength characteristics of geopolymer.