RESIDUAL ALUMINO-SILICATE MATERIALS (FLY ASH, SLAG, CLAY, AND GLASSWARE) FOR A NONCONVENTIONAL ECOLOGICAL POLYMER OF THE FUTURE

Abstract

Alumino-silicate wastes frequently used in the manufacturing process of geopolymer composites (fly ash and blast furnace slag) were mixed with alumino-silicate wastes non-used previously in this process (clay brick waste and glassware waste). The mixture activation with an alkaline activator based on NaOH 8M and Na₂SiO₃ aqueous solution that facilitates the geopolymerization reaction developing contributed to the conversion of waste into geopolymer composite, a new type of cheap and ecological materials with mechanical and physical properties suitable for the building sector. The optimal characteristics of specimens were: density of 2042 kg·m^-3, apparent porosity of 19.6 %, compression strength of 53.7 MPa, and water absorption of 6.9 vol. %.