Tailoring geopolymer properties through mechanical activation of fly ash

Abstract

The influence of mechanical activation of fly ash on the tailoring of properties of geopolymer has been investigated. Fly ash was mechanically activated by vibrating samples for 5-90 minutes in an eccentric vibratory mill. Mechanical activation resulted into an increase in the reactivity of the fly ash and enhanced the geopolymerisation reactions. In an effort to understand the scientific basis of tailoring the properties, an attempt has been made to correlate the reactivity of fly ash with rate of geopolymerisation and development of structure and properties. The improvements in physical properties were found to be associated with microstructural changes that resulted from the enhanced geopolymerisation in mechanically activated samples.