Affiliation:
1. Department of Construction, Porsuk Vocational School, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir 26140, Turkey
2. Department of Civil Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir 26555, Turkey
Abstract
This study presents the durability, strength and microstructure of non-heat-cured geopolymer mortars (GMs) containing metakaolin (MK), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3), CEN sand and network water. Optimum MK, GGBFS and activator solution ratios were investigated, and the compressive strength of non-heat-cured 28-day GMs reached 55 MPa. Analysis of GMs using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDX) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) revealed alumino-silicate formation, potassium from KOH solution and calcium from GGBFS. It showed that the grains containing high silica in the form of quartz crystals were found in the gel formation. The strength and durability of MK- and GGBFS-based GMs exposed to freeze–thawing, a high temperature, wear loss, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and HCl solutions were found to be sufficient.