Production, Properties and Performance of Slag-Based, Geopolymer Foams

This paper demonstrates the transformation of industrial residue (copper slag) a Swedish mining and smelting company “Boliden”, through geopolymerization, into advanced building materials. The main objective this experimental study is assessment appropriate conditions for preparation alkali-activated slag-based geopolymer pastes with further foaming production, by aluminum powder addition. alkaline-activating solution used was KOH, at constant concentration (8 M). effect crucial operating parameters, such as S/L ratio (3.5–4.5 g/mL) addition (0.12%–0.22%), on paste were studied, in order to achieve optimum rheological slurry. physical properties materials examined after curing process (24 h 70 °C), density values ranging between 805 1100 kg/m3. mechanical performance ranged 1.28 2 MPa (compressive strength), from 0.25 0.85 (flexural indicating strong correlation properties. To assess porosity size distribution voids, image processing techniques applied digital images selected samples. According these results, synthesized exhibit similar, or even better, than current concrete porous