Influence of Curing on the Strength Development of Calcium-Containing Geopolymer Mortar

This paper investigated the curing effects on the mechanical properties of calcium-containing geopolymer mortar. Three precursors are used: Class C fly ash, Class F fly ash plus calcium hydroxide and Class F fly ash plus slag. Curing conditions included: (1) standard curing at 20 ± 3 °C and RH 95% (C); (2) steam curing at 60 °C for 24 h (S); (3) steam curing at 60 °C for 6 h (S6); and (4) oven curing at 60 °C for 24 h (O), then the latter three followed by the standard curing. Under the standard conditions, the flexural strength and compressive strength of Class C fly ash geopolymer mortars developed quickly until the age of 7 days, followed by a gradual increase. Specimens with Class F fly ash plus Ca(OH)₂ showed slow increase till the age of 28 days. Under these non-standard conditions (2-4), all specimens showed higher 3-day strength, while later strengths were either higher or lower than those in standard conditions, depending on the type of the precursor.