Calcined Ranong Kaolin Geopolymer Mortar

Abstract

This research studies the properties of calcined ranong kaolin geopolymer mortar.Compressive strengths were tested with various parameters viz., kaolinite calcining temperature andduration, Na2O.SiO2/KOH ratio, Na2O.SiO2/NaOH ratio, concentration of KOH and NaOH, curingtime and temperature and specimens age.The results reveal that the optimum calcining temperature and duration are 600 °C and 3hours. The mix with KOH gives higher compressive strength than that with NaOH. The strengthincreases with an increase in KOH concentration. The mix with Na2O.SiO2/KOH of 1.33 givesstrength mortar of 320 ksc. When the concentration of KOH exceeds 15 molar, the setting time is veryfast. The optimum temperature and duration of curing are found to be 50 °C and 24 hours,respectively. In addition, it is found that the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar marginallyincreases after using heat to cure the mortar.