Investigation of additive incorporation on rheological, microstructural and mechanical properties of 3D printable alkali-activated materials

Mehdi Chougan; Seyed Hamidreza Ghaffar; Pawel Sikora; Sang-Yeop Chung; Teresa Rucinska; Dietmar Stephan; Abdulrahman Albar; Mohammad Rafiq Swash

Materials & Design (Apr 2021)

Investigation of additive incorporation on rheological, microstructural and mechanical properties of 3D printable alkali-activated materials

Mehdi Chougan,
Seyed Hamidreza Ghaffar,
Pawel Sikora,
Sang-Yeop Chung,
Teresa Rucinska,
Dietmar Stephan,
Abdulrahman Albar,
Mohammad Rafiq Swash

Affiliations

Mehdi Chougan: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
Seyed Hamidreza Ghaffar: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom; Corresponding Author.
Pawel Sikora: Building Materials and Construction Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Al. Piastow 50, 70-311 Szczecin, Poland
Sang-Yeop Chung: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
Teresa Rucinska: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Al. Piastow 50, 70-311 Szczecin, Poland
Dietmar Stephan: Building Materials and Construction Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany
Abdulrahman Albar: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
Mohammad Rafiq Swash: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 202
p. 109574

Abstract

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This study investigates the addition of Poly-vinyl Alcohol (PVA) fibres and attapulgite nanoclay to alkali-activated materials (AAMs) with the aim of enhancing the mechanical performance and optimizing the printability and buildability of AAMs. The fresh properties of six mix formulations, including flowability, slump values, rheology, shape retention, and extrusion window, were evaluated. The best performing mixes, that exhibited optimal fresh properties, were 3D printed, and their mechanical performance, microstructure, and buildability were investigated. The addition of 1 wt.-% attapulgite nanoclay (i.e. A-1) showed the desirable fresh properties required for 3D printing, as well as providing sufficient mechanical reinforcement to the samples. The 3D printed A-1 samples showed an improved flexural and compressive strength by 43% and 20%, respectively, compared to both the casted and printed control mixes. Moreover, microstructure analysis, including SEM, Rapidair measurement, and micro-CT, provided evidence of the compatibility by showing the lowest pores anisotropy and mixture homogeneity, between attapulgite and AAMs.

Published in Materials & Design

ISSN: 0264-1275 (Print); 1873-4197 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-and-design

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