Influence of some additives on the properties of fly ash based geopolymer cement mortars

Abstract

In order to minimize CO2 emission due to manufacture of Portland cement, researches have been focused on alternative construction materials such as geopolymer cement. Geopolymer cement is made from waste materials such as fly ash by alkali-activation. This paper reports the properties of fly ash based geopolymer mortars activated by sodium hydroxide/potassium hydroxide and sodium silicate/lithium silicate. Alccofine powder, aluminum powder and calcined clay were added during geopolymerization. Curing was done at 80 °C. Compressive strength of geopolymer mortar was found maximum in the presence of potassium hydroxide–lithium silicate—5% alccofine powder—10% calcined clay. Durability of cubes in sulphuric acid was studied. Fire resistant properties of some of the mortars at 600, 800 and 1000 °C were also studied.