Waste ceramic powder-based geopolymer mortars: Effect of curing temperature and alkaline solution-to-binder ratio

In this study, the optimum curing temperature and alkaline solution-to-binder (S:B) ratio of geopolymer mortars based on waste ceramic powder (WCP) were investigated. For this purpose, mixes with S:B ratios of 0.4-0.7 were prepared and cured at 60, 75, 90, and 105 degrees C. The density, compressive and flexural strengths were measured at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. Higher S:B ratios enhanced the flow of the fresh mortar. The optimum mortar was obtained for S:B ratio of 0.6 and curing temperature of 90 degrees C. The SEM analysis revealed that the optimal mix had a dense matrix with minimum pores. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.