Strength Development and Durability of Metakaolin Geopolymer Mortars Containing Pozzolans under Different Curing Conditions

This study presents the strength development and durability of heat non-heat-cured geopolymer mortars (GMs) produced using metakaolin (MK), ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), silica fume (SF), calcined perlite (GCP), raw (RP), potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3), standard sand, tap water. An optimal combination MK with various pozzolans constant solid/liquid alkaline activator ratios were determined. It was found that GMs, including GGBFS a 1.45 ratio 2.0 ratio, resulted in compressive at 88 MPa. Analysis GMs performed scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDX (Energy Scattered X-ray Spectrophotometer), diffraction (XRD). According to results obtained, mainly alumino-silicate-based formation, from KOH solution, calcium The SEM images showed grains high content, approximately 6–7 µm size, are quartz crystals embedded gel structure. heat-cured exposed MgSO4, Na2SO4, HCl solutions for tests. higher than as sufficient. use improvements terms durability.