Comparative Thermal and Mechanical Performance of Geopolymers derived from Metakaolin and Fly Ash
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper presents comparative thermal and mechanical performance of geopolymers derived from metakaolin (MK), fly ash (FA), and their combinations. Bending and compression tests, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrum, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and dilatometric tests were conducted on three types of geopolymers (MK, MK-FA, and FA based) to evaluate comparative mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and microstructure. Results from these tests show that MK-based geopolymers experience significant thermal shrinkage, high mass loss, and large strength degradation after exposure to high temperatures up to 800°C. FA-based geopolymers exhibit low bending and compressive strength at ambient temperature due to incomplete reaction of fly ash particles and high retention in compressive strength at high temperature, and this is facilitated from the formation of large size pores as channels to release vapor pressure and sinter reaction of fly ash particles. However, blended MK-FA–based geopolymers exhibit higher bending and compressive strength both at ambient temperature and after exposure to high temperatures up to 800°C and this is facilitated through the utilization of specific characteristics of both MK-based and FA-based geopolymers.
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Acknowledgments
The research presented in this paper is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51108193 and 51478195), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program: 2011CB013800), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2013ZZ0029), and State Key laboratory of Subtropical Architecture Science, South China University of Technology (Grant No. 2013ZC21), Innovation Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (2012J4200032 and 13C26214404546), and Michigan State University. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 2 • February 2016
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© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 21, 2014
Accepted: Apr 8, 2015
Published online: Jun 23, 2015
Discussion open until: Nov 23, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
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