Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
5TH INTERNATIONAL "ARTEMIS" CONGRESS ON LIFE, ENGINEERING, AND APPLIED SCIENCES, İzmir, Türkiye, 1 - 03 Ekim 2023, ss.52
Geopolymers are inorganic polymer compounds produced from industrial by-products, especially
aluminosilicate materials like fly ash. The formation of these compounds is realized through alkali
activators. Geopolymers possess various advantages such as high compressive and thermal resistance,
thermal stability, and low greenhouse gas emissions. Fly ash is the main component of the geopolymer
matrix and releases silicate and Alumina-based bonds during alkali activation. Tincal accelerates the
geopolymerization process while contributing boron elements to the matrix. This boron addition optimizes
the mechanical and thermal properties of the geopolymer. Alkali activation lays the foundation for
geopolymer formation by promoting the mobilization of silicate and alumina linkages in aluminosilicate
materials. The concentration of this activator plays a decisive role in the microstructure, homogeneity,
and mechanical performance of the geopolymer.
In this study, the effect of alkali activator quantity on the strength properties of geopolymer mortars
produced using fly ash from Kangal Thermal Power Plant (Type C) and tincal ore produced under Eti
Mining Enterprises General Directorate, Kırka Bor Operations Directorate has been investigated. A binder
was prepared by adding tincal to fly ash. Binders were activated with 8, 10, and 12 molar NaOH. The
mixture consisting of binder, NaOH, and water was homogenized with a hand mixer in a plastic container
before being poured into molds and cured at 70oC for 6, 12, and 24 hours. After curing, the specimens
removed from the molds were rested at room temperature for 14, 28, and 90 days, and compressive strength
tests were performed. The test results have shown that increasing the amount of alkali activator positively
affects the compressive strength, while excessive activator usage decreases it. These results reveal that
one of the critical factors affecting the strength of the geopolymer is the activator quantity. An increase in
the amount of alkali activator positively affects the density and homogeneity of the geopolymer matrix,
while exceeding the optimum level can decrease its strength. These findings demonstrate how critical the
activator quantity is to achieve the maximum mechanical performance of the geopolymer.