PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERITES OF META-KAOLIN GEOPOLYMER BRICKS

Abstract

Cement industry is one of the most polluting industries due to the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases that pose a serious health hazard. Therefore, geopolymers are used as an alternative to cement. Geopolymers are widely used in concrete and bricks. This research is exposed to use pottery powder with fly ash and silica fume at different ratios for the manufacture of geopolymer paste. The chemical and physical properties of the previous materials were examined with the use of x-ray diffraction devices. Sodium hydroxide was added, and liquid sodium silicate as alkaline activators for chemical reaction under curing conditions in a thermal oven at 3 days. Fifteen samples were formed with the ratio of w/b = (0.3-0.5- 0.4). The samples were tested by the scanning electron microscopy which showed confirmed results of the samples.