Blending Plastics Waste with Highly Available Jordanian Kaolin for Preparation of Alkali-Activated Mortars

Due to their lower energy demand, alkali-activated materials or geopolymers (GPs) are strong candidates replace ordinary Portland cement binders in some applications. The present article attempts investigate the possibility of incorporating plastics waste place silica sand filler GP mortars. compressive strength, density, FTIR, XRD, BET and SEM prepared mortars were evaluated. Satisfactory strength was achieved for metakaolin (MK)-based containing plastic fillers (polyvinylchloride (PV), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) polyethylene (PE)) which dependent on nature incorporated matrix: MKPV (30.3 MPa) > MKPS (15.8 MPa)~MKPP (15.9 MKPE (9.1 MPa). 28-day polyvinyl chloride almost equivalent that sand. Much values obtained corresponding kaolin-based GPs (2.5, 2.8, 1.8 2.2 MPa, respectively). As reflected by FTIR absorption bands at 1447 1400 cm−1, addition reduces CO2 from atmosphere enhanced dissolution Al species metakaolin. morphology exhibited amorphous tissue-like structure compared crystalline case However, both types porosity than previously metakaolin-based GPs. Remarkably, poor adhesion binder observed due inertness toward alkali activators.