• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2019

Geopolymer is an eco-friendly construction material that has various advantages such as reduced $CO_2$ emission, fire resistance and low thermal conductivity compared to cement. However, it has not been many studies on the thermal behavior of the surface of the geopolymer panel when flame is applied to the surface. In this study, surface characteristics of hardened geopolymer on flame exposure was investigated to observe its characteristics as heat-resistant architectural materials. External structure changes and crack due to the heat shock were not observed during the exposure on flame. According to the residue of calcite and halo pattern of aluminosilicate gel, decarboxylation and dehydration were extremely limited to the surface and, therefore, it is thought that durability of hardened geopolymer was sustained. Gehlenite and calcium silicate portion was inversely proportional to quartz and calcite and significantly directly proportional to BFS replacement ratio. Microstructure changes due to the thermal shock caused decarboxylation and dehydration of crystallization and it was developed the pore and new crystalline phase like calcium silicate and gehlenite. It is thought that those crystalline phase worked as a densification and strengthening mechanism on geopolymer panel surface.