Freeze-thaw resistance of blast furnace slag alkali activated mortars

Abstract

In this study, blast furnace slag geopolymer mortars were prepared in prism molds with the size of 4 x 4 x 16 cm by alkali activating powdered sodium meta silicate (Na2SiO3). The mortar mixtures prepared to contain sodium in different proportions were cured with 3 different curing methods, and 300 cycles of freeze-thaw were applied, and strength and weight losses were examined. Control samples prepared with PC were also exposed to freeze-thaw cycles and the results were compared with each other. It was observed that 8% sodium added geopolymer mortars significantly preserved their compressive strength and weight. Especially, the compressive strength of the samples produced with 8% sodium and exposed to freeze-thaw cycle after 28 days of air curing increased by around 32%.