Properties of lightweight high calcium fly ash geopolymer concretes containing recycled packaging foam

• Published in: Construction & building materials Vol. 94; pp. 408 - 413
• Main Authors: Posi, Patcharapol, Ridtirud, Charoenchai, Ekvong, Chatchavan, Chammanee, Duangchai, Janthowong, Khuanchai, Chindaprasirt, Prinya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 30.09.2015; Elsevier B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Concrete; Density; Fly ash; Foams; Geopolymer; Lightweight; Lightweight geopolymer concrete; Mechanical properties; Packaging; Recycled; Recycled foam; Thermal conductivity; Weight reduction; Thailand; Lightweight geopolymer concrete; Thermal conductivity; Geopolymer; Recycled foam
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.07.080

•Lightweight geopolymer (LG) block was fabricated from high calcium fly ash and recycled foam aggregate.•LG with NH=5–15 molars, NS/NH=0.33–3, liquid/ash=0.5–1, curing at 25–60°C, aggregate content=0.85–1.05%wt. were tested.•Low densities of 1000–1300kg/m3 and 28-day compressive strengths of 4.0–11.2MPa were obtained. In this research, the properties of lightweight geopolymer concretes containing recycled packaging foam were studied. The recycled foam was crushed to sizes of 2.35–4.75mm and used as lightweight aggregate. Compressive strengths and densities with liquid alkaline/ash ratios of 0.5–1.0, sodium silicate/NaOH ratios of 0.33–3.0, NaOH concentrations of 5–15 molars, curing temperatures at 25 and 60°C, and foam contents of 0.85–1.05%wt. were tested. In addition, the thermal conductivities of geopolymer blocks were determined. Results showed that the lightweight geopolymer blocks of densities of 1000–1300kg/m3, with satisfactory strength and low thermal conductivity can be made. This gave a twofold advantageous viz. the use of low carbon footprint fly ash geopolymer and the reuse of packaging foam.