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Effect of Na2SiO3/NaOH Ratios and NaOH Molarities on Compressive

Strength of Fly-Ash-Based Geopolymer

Article  in  Aci Materials Journal · September 2012

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 vol-.109,NO.5
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER2Ol2

MATEruALS
JOIJRNAL
499 Crcep Testins of Epoxy Bonded ReiDforcing Bar Corple..Slc. BtunSrcber

503 Effecr of NarSiOr,4',IaoH Ratios and NaOH Molarities on ComFessive Sneneth

of Fly-Ash-Based Geopolyme A. M. Mustafa Al Bakri, H. Kandndin,
M. Bnhussain, A. R. Rafi.a, and v. mtin.t

509 tjffect ofUsing Monar Interface and Overlays on Masoiry Behavior by Using
T^Znchi MethadlM. Fdrauk Gha.J

5t'7 Experimental Study on Dynamic A,rial Tensile Mechmicrl Propenies of

Concrete and Its Components/S. lvr, y. WanB, D- Shen, and J. Zhou

Porential Recyclins of Boilom and Fly Ashes in Acoustic Morars dnd

Cancrereslc. Lei')a, L. F. vilches, C. Arenas, S. Delgado, dnd
C. Femdntlez Peteira

53',7 Early-Age Creep of Mass Concretc: Effects of Chemical and Mineral

Admixtures/.t- Bordrsi dor Santos, L. C. Pinto da Siltu Filho, and J. L. Calnon

545 Proposed FlexuralTcst Method and Associated Inverse Analysis for

Ulrra High Perfornance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete/F. BabJ, B. Grayheal,
P. Mar.hand. and F. Toutlenonde

55',7 A Fnst-Crt Field Method to Evaluate Limestone Aggregate Durabiliiy/

J. R. Enry, R. H. Golhtein, and E. K. F'rcnseen

Investigation of Properties of Engin@red Cementitious Composiies lncorporating

Hjgh Volumes of Fly Ash and Metakaolin/!'. Orlal, O. Karaha , M. Ltchemi,
K. M. A. Ilossain, antl C. Duran AtiS

Fatigue Analysis ol Plain and Fiber Reinforced Self-Consolidating ConcreG/

S. Goel, S. P. Singh, and P. Singh

A JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE

Asen6n @nc@te lnstitute'

Adncig @eb tutnr^4e
a

ttt Title no. 109-M48

I
I
Effect of Na2SiOs/NaOH Ratios and NaOH Molarities on
Compressive Strength of Fly-Ash-Based Geopolymer
by A. M. Mustata Al Bakri, H. Kamarudin, M. Bnhussain, A. R. Rafiza, and y. Zarlna

Carbon dioride (Co) enissiot's fran the prcductian af t toa and moldable pastet ard srored al rutd remperarures (/ <
(22u.62 |b) aJcerent vdry bet een o.0s and 0.t3 tons (1j0.23 100'C L2l2'Flt lor a shon period otEm€ ro produce a mare-
ad 286-60 Ib). It is inpartont ta reduce CO2 ehissioas br the
rial with good binding properries. At the end ofrhis process,
eteater use d substitutes Jor po/ttand cenent (pC), tuch as fy dsh
(FA), clay, ond ottut Eeo b6ed rutcrials. This paper st\dies the an anorphous alkalioe alumino^ilcdre get is forned as
ptu.essing of Beoporn.ts 6inq FA tud alkaline aditdtors. Tha the main reaction product. h rddltioD. Na-herscbelite-iyp€
frctors thot idluence the earb a7e cohpresstue stensth, such ds zeoliles and hydroxysoilalite are {ormed as secondary reac-
th. sadiw hldronde NaOE) nalatiry atut Nd2SiOlt{aOH rutios,
we.e snklied. Sadiun htdroxtule and so.li@ sitbate solutions werc The most-used alkaline activarors are a mixture of
6ed 6 aLkaline actiratory. me geopobnet paste samptes wete sodium6. potassium hydronde (NaOH or KOH) wirh
eredat70"C (158"F)fo/ I dnr andkept dtroo tenpetatute until sodium warer glacs tnSiO)Na,O) or Dolassium \ aler plas.
testins (the kve\th da!)- Ihe comprcssire sttapth eds wasared (nSiO K Or.r' c One oi rie faclors d'al iniuence; lhe
alet 7 daj's. lhe tusubs sho|| that the geapolrner p6te with a compressive strenglh of geopolymer is the Na,SiO3,/NaOH
conbi@non of M Na,SiOt/NaOH ru|io of 2.5 and a 12 M NaOH mtio.rqtr Rattanasak and ChindaFasi(', concluded thaa rhe
cd.entation produces the highest coapres e st/agth. me use of an NarSiO3/NaOH ratio of 1.0 produced a product
de6ity obtdinedJot Seopolrner lor pC is in the dnse of jZ60 to
with a compressive srengrh as high as 70 Mpa (10.15 ksi).
18s5 ks/nf (0.0(4 to 0.067 lb/in.t). The potusir, aJ&,
seopat ns A study conducted by Hardjiro er alto showed that ttrc use
|9a\ in the runqe of 12.16 to 26.19%, ant the watet absorytioa
vas in &e .anEe of 5.03 to 8.13Eo. The rcsutts of scaminS electtun of an NarSiq,4\aOH mrio of 2.5 gave the tughest comFes-
n; 'osah tSEM' hd(apd that th" lampt.t wih adehsethar,L, siv€ strength of 56-8 MPa (8.24 ksi), whereas a rario ot
and lc"s unreat tcd fA ,onnbuEd ta h. nuinun tohbft$ive 0.4 rcsulted in a lower compressive strength of 17.3 Mpa
"a?neth. tn th? \ t^ d6rat hon txRDt podern\. rt" *')^," .1 (2.51kst.
qua n, ohpar at I ) M r a. hrqhlr dph t ed conpar ?d to t he o tud The concentrations of N1OH solurion thar can be used
lA M solutions are in the range of 8 to 16 M.3 Some researchersT.'2.8 have
studied the effects of different motarities of NaOH on the
K€ywords: altaline elivation: conpEssive stre4rh| gmpotrrel; geopol},mer. Puertas et a1.13 srated that, at 28 days of reac_
.'\...qiO-ltl,Ott *ro NaOH rodi$: .tus .t**, .i*,-py: !ioo. a mi\nxe olequal pan\ FA and ctag acdvared wirl t0 V
NaOH /nd cured ar 25.C {77.Fr develops a compressi\e
INTRODUCTION strengih of appmximately 50 MPa (7.25 ksi). Rananasak and
The term geopol)met was 6rsr applied by Davido- ChindapradrtP concluded thar a geopol]mer moriar str€ngth
\ir\r ,o aLkati alunino{ilicale binders tormed bv rhe of up to ?0 M?a (10.15 ksi) is obrained when rhe mixtu; is
zlkalr-ilicare icri\aLion formulat€d with 10 M NaOH and an Na,SiO/NaOH mrio of
ot
aluminorilicare narinals.
1.0. Palomo et al-? reporred ihat a 12 M acti;abr concenrm-
Geopolymers (green polymeric concrete) are amorphous
to the semi-crystalline equivaletrr of certain zeolitic mate- tion leads to better rcsults than ar 18 M concentratiotr.
rial\ wi!h excellert properries. such as high 6re and ero.;on ln this study, the effects of various NarSiO3nIaOH ratios
tesrstances. as *ell as bigh .lrengrh Recent \ orL.s bave and NaOH molaritje\ on FA geopollmer pasre were srudied.
sbown $dl the add ion ol moderate amouol, of minerals Si,\ dFferenr Na)SiO,AaOH rarjos r0.5. t.0. L5. ).0,2.5,
to a geopolymer can yield significant improvements in rhe aid 1.0\ dd,Lr differenr \aOH motz_rilies (o.8. t0, t?,
geopolymer's structure and Fop€rties. 14. and 16 Mr $ere used in *Ii, srud). The geopotymer
properties. such as compressive strength, water absorption,
The alkdine liquid could be used ro reacr wirh the sijicon
(Si) and aluminum (Al) in a sou.rce marerial of natural porosity. and densiry, werc used as indicators to prova that
the geopolymer has similar plopenies io pC.
minerals or in by,ploduct materials. sucb as flv ash fFA) anit
rice hu.k a(h. roproduce bDder. fteaU.a[n;activarioDot
materials can be defined as a chemical process that
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
Fovides The Na/SiO. and NaOH soiurior requifes djfierenr mass
a npid change of specific sfuctues-parrial or cornpletely
propordons $i(b diffe'enr fAs ro obrajn high compres.rve
amoryhous-into compad cemented frameworks.3 The
strength. Most of lhe srudies on geopolymer concentrated
alkali activation of FA is a process rhar differs widely from
pordand cemeni (PC) hydration and is very simitar to the
chenjsry inrolved in Ue \ynde.rs of targe goupc of
reolires." Some researcherel6 bdve de,cribed lhe a[ati ACt MatrirL JoumaL\. tCB.No.5. S.@mber ocrobd 2or2
v\ \o v.20 u^rRJ Mild Dei€ o, t0 ind
aclivation of FA (AAFA) as a physicochemical Focess in prbr.ibod e r oplrien €) otLArocdcon@, j,NBi$d mder tn_riaE
ft {r ngrLffi.4
which this powdery solid is mjred wirh a concentrated alkali imludiB $e nLhns o c.f.s r * ffi'ls.tu is oDdftd fim lhe, ory gi,
solution (in a suirable propofiion to Foduce a workable Paainrdjss.mr
r.d.cus
,r \hE; uie ltFFp.€b
\
'Ardr
e.,vcn br Ap- I 20.1.
'onr
ACI l\4aterials Journal/September-October 2Ol 2 503
 iot L.eturct a"n PhD caniAde ot Uniwrni on only two airfferent molarities of NaOH. This study deals
Mat6Jst! Pe i\ (U^|MAP), PerLs, Malalsia ge rceiv.d his BS .irit hqine ne i with more details on different NaOH molarities (6, 8, 10,
un hn Ms inrut i't
sh.tu3 tbn uni.n i said lusM, Penus, 12, 14, and 16 M) of geopoiymd pastes. The research data
Malatsia ux rekqeh hkEes indune etenann ea6ttu ^tahtsia
ttrt tutirb
Fesented in this paper are usetul to understand the effecl
E.Kmmdjn k d vi.e ch.etLar d UniMM. Ee EEiren hn BS. MS. otn PhD in of various Na,SiO/NaOH ratios and dlfferent molarities on
chehistr' ?Dh usM. Itk ftvt h tiftten i^ctde ehnn, rca.rion .iad latoin $e geopobmer, which iDfluence the compressive strength
results. The compressive strength of specimens deqeases
M. Bdusdn i,' d Dis.ror ol d. PtoE an d Adw.ed tlde;at d the Ki\ Abd!. with increasiry porosity and water absorption. The scannirg
Irzn Cty lat Scierce a'l
Te.hrctos, Ritudh, Slqdi Arabilt. He rece ed hi: BS ia eleclron miuoscopy (SEM) and X-Iay diffiaction QGD)
cirit z^sireznne hon Kke Abdrkzi. Un e6ity, Jednrh, sadi Arabiq anrl hi: PhD tests are also important to understand the miqoshuctuml
in civit enekerihq nndiatr fm.he un nitt of L?.6, Iab, UK Hx aeath
k, inclunbP P.@t rabwtu .unek.
characreri.oc\ and phaees in!ol!ed in geopolymer.

A., R.a A 6 a Raeath.r .t UniMAP. sh. taei?n h2t Bs ad MS in cirit esi EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
reetins (tnu.tutoL .nciaa^d JtM Maierials
nad,Lit?, n utu 4l otdLtak, dtr1d 3
ln this research, low-calcium Class F dry FAla obtained
a. zrrjrr k a R.rearchet at UniMM. Sh. rceeiv.d her BS ot"n MS k eivil .ryi ftom rhe Sultan Abdd Aziz Power Station in Kapar,
tuerks (snrctunL ensi"eetind ha USM, H.. rcs.a..h interees include trn ie SelaDgor, Malaysia, was used as a base material to nake
mdetis, stuctorut uaryrn, oad s;an the geopolymers. The chemical composition of FA is showll
in Table L The lable shows that this FA €onsists of a high
composition of silicon and aluminum oxide of ?5.77o.
Table l-Chemical composition ot FA The miiture of sodium silicate (Na,SiOt and sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) was used as an alka[ne activator in
ftis study. NaoH in pellet fofm with 977, purity&rtr6 atrd
Na,Siq consistitrc of NarO = 9.4E .SiOz= 3O.1Ea,
^adH2O
= 60.5 7, (with weight ratio of Siorn\,la,O of 3.20 to 3.30 and
a
a specific $avity of 20"C t68"Fl = 1.4 g/crn3 I0.0s lb/in.3l)
were used in rhis study.

Mixing method
The ratio of FA to alkaline activatd was 2.5 ad was
kept fixed for all mixnrJes. The use of this ratio is due .o the
work of Hrrdjito et al.,rqr? which states that a ratio of FA
to alkaline activator of 2.5 produces the highest compres-
sive sllength on ihe 28th day of resting. ln this study, various
Narsior,4\aoH ratios (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0) were
used to determine the high€st comFessive stength. It
should be noted tllat NarSiO3 is a quick setting chemical
and binding material that rcquires a alifferent combination
Table 2-Mixture design details fo. vadous ratio ol of proportions with NaOH molarities. The NaOH molariry
NarsiO3/NaOH was kept constant at 10 M. The total mass of each dry and
NaOH, solutiotrs material used is shown in Table 2. The best ratio
lb (s) of the Na,SiO3,4.IaOH result (highest cornFessive saengin)
0.18 (80) 0.35O60) was further used in this study.
1.0 0.26 (t)al 0.26 $24)
To prepare the NaOH solfiion, NaOH peliets were
dissolved in L (0.26 gal.) of distiled water in a volum€tdc
1
1.5 0_32(145) 0.21(95)
2.5
1.31 flask for six different NaOH concentrations (6, 8, 10, i2,
(605)
2.O 0.35060) 0.18(80) 14, and 16 M) witl diferent masses of NaOH. as shown in
4.371110) 0 15 (70) Table 3. The best mixture design (the FA/alkaline activator
and NarSiO3/NaOH Btios wer€ fixed as 2.5 as their highest
3.0 0.40 o80) 0.13 (60)
comFessive strength result obtained Feviously) was used to
determine the besr NaOH molarity solution. The total mass
Table FDelails of preparing NaOH solutions of each of the dry and solutions materials used was kept
Masec.rNrOH p€lleE dissolved in constant for the geopolymer pasie for a[ samples (6, 8, 10,
1 L (0.26 aal ) of disriued water, lb (s) 12. 14, and 16 M) with different molarities.
An alkaline activator consisting of a combination ofNaOH
and Narsiq was prepared just befor€ mixing with FA to
ensure the reactrvily of the solution. The addition of sodium
silicate is to enhance the geopol)merization process.rs The
FA and alkaline activator were mixed logedEr in the mixer
ulltil a homogeneous paste was achieved. This mixjng
Focess could be handled for up to 10 minutes for each
mixture with different NaOH rnolarities. as shown iD Fig. L

s04 ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2012

 Casting and curing
The geopotymer paste was ptaced in a 50 x 50 x 50 rtun
(1.97 x 1.97 x 1.97 ill.) cube mold and cured in an oven
io' Ida) at 70"Cr t58"Fr.'r"Airerrhe samptes were cured
in an o\en. rhe molds were remoled flom the tumdce aftt
1eftto cool to room tempemture before demolding.r The
:ampler qere rben left !o room rempe,ature unrillb;y $ere
loaded in compression ar rhe sevenrlr day.l

Testing
Tre compressive srength tesr was pedorned on
geopolrmer pasre sampte\ ur accordance $ilh BS t88l_
I16.'q8ja usurg a mechanJlaj resons md(hhe ro obrain
$e ultrnrale sEetrgLb ot Lhe geoporlmer. The sdnpler \aere
roaded wir} 50.00 kN (t1.24 Kipsr and rhe,peed rar
ot
loadins was 5 0o Innr/min (0.20 in./rnin). The ioadiry pace
mle sas 0.1 kNA (22.48 tb/s. The reponed comp";ssiw
streDglh !alue\are tur a\emge ot rt1l-ee samples fo, each rario.
Tbe .alnple den\ilie\ were delennioed bv lhe ma,s Fie. I Minute of FA with alkaline ornyator.
and \olumes ot de cubes in accordance uir; BS t88l_
114:1983.'?r The .esutts of densiries are rat€n as d average t
of thre€ samples for each ratio.
The waler absorpuon lest qas performed in accordance
$;r-b ASTM Ct40 ro derermine r# porosir) ot he sanrpte(
fte sdffple rDasse, were mea.ured before anrl aner;mmer_
\io0 in warer. The djfference in \ e;shl wa\ calcutded Lo
determinc $e warer absorpuon of |J)e samptcs, as shown in
Eq. (1). I -t

wdter Absoryrion
'M" '',-.'o ..ro (t)
FiB. 2-Cohprcssive strcnsth af wriou: NarSiOy'NaoH

where Mr is saturated mass, units: and

M, is alry mass, udrs.
A ,caorung elechon microscope wa5 used ro reveal $e
nxcro,lrucrwe olrhe geopol) mer pa\re. Tbe re.l wa. ca,rried
oul usDg secoodaD and bdck\.arlered etecrron detectors.
)RD palems were performed using an X rdy ditfracrom_
eter.^lhe )aRD resr wzs held ior phase analysii ot r]re orig. €
rnal l-A and ro ;nvesrigare rhe cO slal]lniD oldre geopotym;r
samples rhar gave high compressive sft;ng&. The ianples €^
wer e prepar ed in powder form. For fie pr+ar
ed geopol) me r E eao
$ln?les. $e sampte. ue'e nrsr cur inio 0.5 mrn r i.qi m..)
lhick slices and then grodnd jn o powder form as required.
?,u
. EXPERI!/lENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
uompressive slrength
.: The NarSiOj/NaOH rario and NaOH motariry affects the
,- comFessive sE€nglh of the geopolymer. The iompressive NaOH Molarn,0uot t
' strengths
!!v wlrPreJJrvo
for different NarSiOj/NaOH rarios are shown in
Fig. 2. The highest compre(sile (tlensr}ls ol 57 00 Mpa
Fig. 3-Cohpressiye strength of tdrious NaOH molanies.
/8-27 ksj) $ere obrned al aD \rrSiOr^aOH raEo
of 2.5,
rrhich is t8?o hisher rhan an .rasio,,{"of .""..ilo""
rhe-serenrh day ot resring. Hdrdjiro er aj.ro and Sahia et process.a The lowest compressive strength was
:' a1.,, stated that compessivi strenjth increases as FA content
r.r
Na,SiO/NdOH rario o10.5 w h 40.00 Mpa {5.80 kii)
found ar atr
r:, and concenhation of the activaror solution increase. This Tie compressive snengri resuhs ror variou. NdOH mold_
:j. is due to the increase in the sodium oxide cont€nt. which ities on the seventh day of tesring are shown in Fig. 3. For the
,: iN nainly required for rh€ geopolymedzarion reacrion. The se\enft day ol restiog. lbe t2 M NaOH sampte, produced
. comFessive strengrh r rhe
.. rqtio of 3.0 was low, ofhowever, for dr
producr r0r
urw ?ruuuur Na,SiOlt{aOH
an 1\a2rr(r3A\aufl
which could be due ro the
the hj€hest compressive streogb. olq4 50 \4ia,11.72 k,i
This i, due ro Lie increase ot N3 iotr, in rhe slqrem, which
:. excess OH conc€nrationin ihemixnfes.l3 Furthe.more. the $as iJnpmlaEr for rbe geopolymenzadon because Na ions
. eicess sodium conrenr (an rorm sodium cdrbonare bv atmo_ were used to ba.lance (he charges and formed the alumino-
- spheric carbonation and this may disrupt rhe potyrne;zarion silicate nelworks as the binder in the mixture.ra At a tow

! ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2012

505
 Fig. 4 SEM picturcs of eeopoltter paste with yatious n oare designs: (a) FNaka
line acth,atot af2.5 ann Na,Sioy'NaoH of 2.s; Md (b) Fualkaline actitiator of 2.s ann
Na,Siq/NaOH of 3.0.

NaOH nolariry, the geopol],nerization is low due to the which reduced the compressive strength of the sample. The
low concentration of base and, hence, less leaching of amount of liquid in the systens affects the saturation mte
silica and alumina ftom the souce material.25 The lowesr of the iodc species and the sbength oi the geopolymer. The
compressive strength was found for the 6 M NaOH solu- geopolymer microstructwes with diffe.ent NaOH molarities
tion with 40.00 MPa (5.8 ksi). Aier 12 M of NaOH solu- are shown h Fig. 5(a) rhough (0.
lion, the compressive strength decreased. The high viscosiiy As t}le NaOH molarity increases fiom 6 to 16 M, rhe
hinders the leaching of the silica and alumina, resutting iq microstructure of the resultant geopolymer contains a
a lesser degree of geopollmerization26 as compared to thar smaller Foportion of uffeacted FA microspheres. As can be
of the 12 M NaOH paste. Palomo et al.' also found that seen from Fig. 5(a) and (b), a large proportion of FA still
a i2 M NaOH solution Foduced better results than the did not completely dissolve. Figure 5(d) shows the least
conespondins 18 M acrivator. uffeacted FA for the alkaline activator thar gave the highest
The compressive strength of PC paste was in the .ange comFessive strength of94.59 MPa (13.72 ksi) on the seventh
of l'7 to 20 l\4P^ (2.4'7 to 2.90 ksi) ar 28 days of tesring; testing day. This suggests that the dissolution of sfica and
however, geopolynerpastecanachieveabefterperformance
alumina in the geopolymerization process that fonDed the
of compressive strength of 94.59 MPa (13.72 ksi) at 7 days
alumino-silicate gel in the 12 M NaOH sample was higher,
of testing. This clearly shows that geopolymer pasre can
contributing to the stability of the geopobmer dudng the
achieve a higher compmssive strength thal PC paste.
hardening Focess and giving a high comFessive strength
of geopoiymer.'z, The porcs are indicated on the figues by
Density, porosity, and water absorption
arrows, and racks are also fonnd in the Inatli)( (Fig. 5(a),
The densities of the geopolymer samples are in the range
(b), (c), (e), a]ld (t), which would limit the bindins capaciry
of 1760 ro 1855 kg/mr (0.064 ro 0.067 lb/in.r) for 7 days
and lead to a lower compressive stsength.
of testing. Higher alkali contents in the mixtue yield beter
reactivir) qidr tie l-A. re,ulunB io a deDser microsruc.
nfe.'?sThedenyl) ol normal PC pale is 1750 ro 2400 kg/m XRO pattern
(0.063 to 0.087 lb/h.). Because the deffiry oblaircd ftom The results of the )GD of FA atrd geopolymer pastes with
th€ geopolymer samples is in this range, the samples possess 6, 10, and 12 M NaOH concenfations are shown in Fig. 6.
the same Fopefties as PC paste. The odgiml FA ad the 6, 10, and 12 M NaOH molariry
The porosity of the geopotymer was in the range of pastes had a similar diffraction pattem and did not signifi-
12.16 to 26.79qa, and the paste specimen produced water ca ly alter the degre€ ol amorphous and crysrallizarion of
absor?tion in the range of 5.03 to 8.13% for rhe sevenah day FA. For 12 M NaOH molariry, the )RD panem showed rhar
of le.ting. According ro Tbokcbom er ai..73 rhe compres(i\e tbe intensity ol quadz content was highly derected at 20 =
sbength of specimens decreases with increasing porosify 26.5 degees compared to the 6 and 10 M solutions. This also :
and water absorption- indicated lhat the new crystalline phases were aletected in the
geopolymer paste and that the 12 M NaOH solution co ains i
SEM analysis for geopolymer paste the highest amount of crystalline and had a higher compres-
Tie microsaucture of FA-based geopobmer for different sive steryth compared to FA. Alvarez-A'uso ea al.ro stared
mixture designs tvas obsened with SEM, as shown in that the increase in the crystalline product increased the
Fig. 4(a) and O). It showed rhar the naledals are herero comFessive strength ol rhe geopo\mer. The fornation ol
geneous, with partially reacted and uffeacted FAs existing uystalines ir the samples-studied by quanrirative )RD-
on the dense. gel-like matrix geopollmer. The sample with depended strongly on the NaOH concentration. The ffy
the FA/alkalirc activator and an NarSiq,NaOH mtio of 2.5 lizaiion rate increased with increashg NaOH coDtent and
(Fig. 4(a)) showed a more dense matrix and less urreacted Foportion of rhe crystalline phase gadually inoeased wi$
FA, which contdbuted ro a maximum compressive stength a longercurirg Lime.'l
of 8.27 ksi (57 MPa). Figure 4(b) shows the misocracks that The obtained results suggest thaa the composition of
exist on the Mmple with an FA/alkaline activator ratio of 2.5, alumino-silicate gel form€d by the rcacaion between FA

506 ACI Materials Journal/September-October 20

 a
FiB.s-SEM inaee of seopotwerwnh: fu)6 M; (b) I M; (c) I0 M; (d) 12 M:
(e) 14 M; and
A t6 M ofNaOH sotution.
thr alkaline activalor i( variabte and depeDds on rhe reac-
b\jiy and rhe rlpe and concenmdon ofrhe acrivarors.':

coNcLUStONS
Based on (he experimenral sork rcponed iD (his paper. ir
car be coDcluded Lhar rhe Na,SiOr/N;OH rario. and NaOH
affect the compressive stengrh of FA-based llIL'-.'.-".*{-^-d rr
. The NarSiOy'NaOH ratio of 2.5 contributed ro
high compressive ot 57.00 Mpa (8.27 k5i). Tbe
'nengrh
brghe,r NaOH molartydoe. nol oecessarib gjve rhe highesr
orprcsive slrengh. Tbe FA based geopolyner wirh t2 M
,\,
*^**--*
,IaOH showed excellenr resuX.. inctuding
a brgb (ompres- !
ru€ strength of up to 94.59 MPa (13_72 ksi) on rhe sevenft i1
)
day. This was proven by rhe )aRD results. which i q' /l *ar_>qr^u{a@
/"/|i..* ^
ilat the inrensity of the quanz content at 12 M was "r*-d---/
*4
delecred aid conFibured to lbe highesl compre\sive
€Aglh compar€d to the 6 and l0 M solutions. The densit
nanen lor rhe geopolymer ( I760 ro 1855 kgm l0.0o4 t;
tin.lJr was in fie ralce ror pC ot t7S0;2400 kg/m
ro 0.087 lb/io.rl. fte sampte. with a den.er narir Fig. 6 XRD pancns of I 4 qnd Bcopotvnet pa:te sanpt?,
unreacted FA contribured to the maximum comples- wirh 6, 10, ann 12 M NaOH concmhanoni

rials Journal/Septemberoctober 201 2 507

sive sbength. A higher dissolution of silica and alumina in 15. Blcnwald, A., d Schulz, M.. ..Atkati Activatod BindeN by Use of
the geopolyrnerization process that forms aiumino siticate Irdxsfijal By PrcduclJ," C.ru, t @A Cm$ete Rzsearch,v.35.No. s,M^y
gel contributes to the higher compressive srengrh of the 2@5. pp. 96a 973.
geopolymer; however. different FAs from other countries i6. Watlah, S. E. 'Drying Stuinrage of Hear Cued FA Baserl
Geopolyrer Co.@le,'' Mdldm Apptied Science,y . 3, No. 12,D.c.2VJg,
may need diffc,eor rado\ !o achieve hjgh comFessile
w,12:21.
strength. FA based geopol'mer has excetlent poperties 1?. H djito, D.i Cheal, C. C.r dd te Lg, C. H., ..Strenglh ed Seuing
due to the very high comFessive stength obrained in this aine of Low Calcinn FA-Baseij Ceopolyner Morrd, Maddn ,4pptist
study. Further studies need ro be conducted ro find the b€s1 J.rlen.., v. 2, No. 4, Iuly m08, m. 3 I 1.
mixtwe design to achieve the highesr compressive strengrh 18. xn, H., and Deven!{, t., ..rhe ceopolymisaiior of Atmjno Sili-
oI FA-based geopolymer conuete. c^tll,,jadalx," Intematiotul Joumal of Mia*at pnuxias,y . Sg.Na. 3,
20c0, W. U1-266,
19. Vd tuasveld. L C. S.t vd Devenler. J. s. J.j and Lnkey, O. C. C.,
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ''Ihe Efiecl of CoDposiion ed TenperatuE or ihe ploperries oi Fly
A gm1 flm lne Kins Ahdulazt Ciiy lor Science md Tmbnolosy ed
((ACST) for thi! Esemh prcja! is sniennly actnoNtedged.
Ash Kaolinite-Based ceopo\M," Cheniul Ensienns J.tmat,
v.4001,2002, Pp 1 11.
20. BS 1881J I6:1983, 'resring Concrere. Me6od for Doieninaiion of
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Canc'ete Techhotosr: Past, Presznt, @dFtt"re, Sp 144,p. k.Me\t4 ed_, 21. BS l88l I 14:1983, 'Iatins Concrere, Men\ods for Det€minarim
Ai eh.aCo0c1'c lNLtok, Tm nghn HjU!. Mt. taa4 pp. 183-30/. ol DeNirt of liardened Condeie,' Briiisn slmddts Lstjui6, I-ndon,
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n"?.i,AM.lT.. hioLogr p?.earh. ! l,No.t,zO ,DD r_4r9 4do, M.t Fon! O.; Mo6no, T.j Ruonich, E V_; Dlez, S.; d Bea, M.,
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'AlL r Ad\de,l FdsLC .emeqr' stensd Beiavior d rl\MaEon Fnae Fmation in Metataolnile CoFoltmes Aclialed qitn NaOH ed
P\odr\,' f.np aad toh,tel. R,,JFi. v .o, NL. t0. O;. /000, sodtrsSihate.-Jo rul,rMap4at\ \, p4.p.\ &.200a. pp.,ab68 d6r6.
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ao.bonT..ddIost,R, i/tmlbIclue
14. Clnndalntrt, P.; Cna@at, T.; md Siivivalmon, V., ,Ve(- Study of Edl, h Situ Reaction of FA Cspob&er Observed by Envirft
db l ) udSftn81hof aoale H ghCdlcis pA CspotJm. a",.rrr&l
nental Scming Electron Mimsc.tpy (FAEI'[),.' Va:te anA BioMs vata
t.Eeteca paeres,\ 29,No l,Mar 2007.pp 22+229. fi@rim, y . r, No. 3,20t0. pp.367 -31.1 .

ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2Ol 2

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