Effect of sawdust as porosity agent on final properties of geopolymers

Abstract

Abstract The geopolymers synthesis are based on geopolymerization, a sequence of reactions processed in an alkaline medium through oligomers providing a three-dimensional molecular structure. In this work, the polycondensation of metakaolin was performed with alkaline activators (NaOH and sodium silicate), wood sawdust and other additives. Two different compositions were evaluated after and before sintering at a high temperature (850 °C). The effect of sawdust addition and the thermal treatment of geopolymers were evaluated by scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, mechanical properties, apparent density and porosity by different characterization techniques to guide of development of high porous and low-density materials for thermal and noise control application on building/home construction engineering applications.

Keywords

• geopolymer
• activated metakaolin
• refractory material
• sawdust