• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2020

Lightweight geopolymers were fabricated by using fused slag from integrated gasification combined cycle as a law material and Si sludge from silicon wafer process as a bloating material for the purpose of replacing autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC). Density and compressive strength of geopolymers were measured and compared with the properties of ALC according to the variation of mol concentration of alkaline activator, W/S ratio, addition of fibers, and addition of polystyrene and the possibility of replacing ALC panel was estimated through the comparisons. Although the geopolymer satisfying the standard of ALC panel was not made by controlling mol concentration and W/S ratio, addition of inserts such as fibers and polystyrene insert was tried to overcome the obstacle of enhancing properties. Geopolymers cannot satisfying the standard of ALC panel by adding carbon or glass fibers; however, adding fibers can be suggested as one of the methods enhancing compressive strength because the compressive strength of the specimen containing 0.3 wt.% glass fibers was increased by 3 times. The maximum addition of polystyrene insert was turned out to be 50 vol.% and the properties of geopolymers varied by the method of insertion. When using single polystyrene insert, compressive strength was 17.8 MPa and density was 0.996 g/㎤ which were similar values to the standard of ALC panel. If the difficulties of reproductivity of production and insertion method of inserts were overcome through the future research, the geopolymers containing polystyrene inserts could possibly replace ALC panel.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2016

Lightweight geopolymers are more readily produced and give higher fire resistant performance than foam cement concrete. Lowering the density of solid geopolymers can be achieved by inducing chemical reactions that entrain gases to foam the geopolymer structure. This paper reports on the effects of adding different concentrations of aluminum powder on the properties of cellular structured geopolymers. The apparent density of lightweight geopolymers has a range from 0.7 to $1.2g/m^3$ with 0.025, 0.05 and 0.10 wt% of a foaming agent concentration, which corresponds to about 37~60 % of the apparent density, $1.96g/cm^3$, of solid geopolymers. The compressive strength of cellular structured geopolymers decreased to 6~18 % of the compressive strength, 45 MPa of solid geopolymers. The microstructure of geopolymers gel was equivalent for both solid and cellular structured geopolymers. The workability of geopolymers with polyprophylene fibers needs to be improved as in fiber-reinforced cement concrete. The lightweight geopolymers could be used as indoor wall tile or board due to fire resistance and incombustibility of geopolymers.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Efflorescence is a white deposit of powders in the surface of cement concrete which can also occur in geopolymers. Efflorescence occurs when sodium ions in alkali activator react with atmospheric carbon dioxide to form sodium carbonate components. In this study, we investigated whether the secondary efflorescence can be reduced by controlling the Na/Al mole ratio or by changing the curing temperature and heat curing time in fly ash-based geopolymers. The 28 days compressive strength in geopolymers having Na/Al ratio of 1.0 was higher than geopolymers having Na/Al ratio of 0.8. The strength increased with the increasing curing temperature and longer heat curing time. On the other hand, efflorescence was lower when the curing temperature was high and the heat curing time was longer in the geopolymers having Na/Al ratio of 1.0. The geopolymers having Na/Al ratio of 0.8 showed accelerated efflorescence occurrence than the geopolymers having Na/Al ratio of 1.0. In order to reduce the occurrence of the secondary efflorescence of fly ash-based geopolymers, it will be advantageous to maintain the Na/Al ratio at 1.0, increase the curing temperature, and lengthen the heating curing time.