• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.295-302
• /
• 2017

In this study, the effect of pre-curing process on the enhancement of mechanical properties of IGCC-slag-based-geopolymer was studied. Pre-curing is a process in which the green geopolymer is left at room temperature for a certain period of time prior to the high-temperature curing, and it is known as increasing the strength of a specimen. Therefore, in this experiment, the compressive strength of the geopolymers was measured according to various pre-curing conditions, and microstructure and crystal phase changes were observed by SEM and XRD, respectively. The W/S ratio was determined to be 0.26, which can offer the maximum geopolymer strength with easy molding ability, and the concentration of the alkali solution was 15 M. Pre-curing was performed at room temperature for 0 to 27 days. Compressive strength of the geopolymer made with pre-curing process increased by 36~87 % compared with the specimens made with no pre-curing process. Those improved compressive strength for the pre-cured geopolymer was confirmed owing to promotion effect of pre-curing process on generation of C-S-H gel and zeolite phases, which were analyzed using by XRD and SEM measurement.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.132-139
• /
• 2019

EPS (expanded polystyrene) is one of the most used building materials for insulation that is favored by its excellent heat insulation, economical efficiency and lightweight characteristics. However, EPS is vulnerable to the fire and producing large amount of toxic gases in case of fire. Therefore, ultra-lightweight geopolymer which can replace EPS is fabricated by using IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle) fused slag and Si sludge as raw materials and the possibility of replacement on ultra-lightweight geopolymer for EPS as an insulation building material was evaluated in this study. Ultra-lightweight geopolymer can be fabricated with the pulverized IGCC fused slag having low carbon content and density, compressive strength, thermal conductivity were $0.064g/cm^3$, 0.04 MPa, and 0.072 W/mK, respectively. The thermal conductivity of ultra-lightweight geopolymer is 1.5~2.0 times higher than that of EPS suggested in the KS M 3808; however, the thermal conductivity value of geopolymer is meaningful and competitive to that of EPS in the market. Therefore, ultralightweight geopolymer can be applicable to the building material for thermal insulation purpose and have an enough possibility to replace EPS in the future because it is not only much safer than EPS in case of fire but also it can be fabricate by using waste materials from the industry.