Strength & Microstructure of Class-C fly Ash Activated in Waste Glass Based Alkaline Solution

The soda lime waste glass powder was dissolved in NaOH-4M solution to synthesize an alkaline activator, which was used to activate Class-C fly ash (FA). Compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties. Archimedes' principle was applied to measure the porosity of samples, (SEM-EDX) and XRD was used to study the microstructure and phase changes of samples. Through Inductive Coupled Plazma technique, the solution was found to increase the concentration of Si as the amount of dissolved glass powder was increased. Owing to the increased concentration of Si in an alkaline solution, the reactivity of FA was accelerated resulting in an increased strength and reduced porosity. Additionally, the dissolution of FA was improved as well as the formation of amorphous phases in the matrix was also enhances with the concentration of increased Si in an alkaline solution.