Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Perlite
In this study, the use of expanded polystyrene and expanded perlite as lightweight aggregates for the preparation of lightweight geopolymers is tested. The geopolymers’ performance was evaluated through physical, mechanical and thermal testing. Polypropylene fibers were used as reinforcement agents,...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Ceramics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/5/4/60 |
| _version_ | 1797460916243005440 |
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| author | Dimitrios Kioupis Aggeliki Skaropoulou Sotirios Tsivilis Glikeria Kakali |
| author_facet | Dimitrios Kioupis Aggeliki Skaropoulou Sotirios Tsivilis Glikeria Kakali |
| author_sort | Dimitrios Kioupis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, the use of expanded polystyrene and expanded perlite as lightweight aggregates for the preparation of lightweight geopolymers is tested. The geopolymers’ performance was evaluated through physical, mechanical and thermal testing. Polypropylene fibers were used as reinforcement agents, while the long-term durability was assessed though repeated wet–dry and freeze–thaw cycles and sorptivity tests. The results showed that the introduction of lightweight aggregates in the geopolymer mixes decreased the compressive and flexural strength of the specimens by 77% and 35%, respectively. However, the density and thermal conductivity were substantially improved because of the addition of low-density aggregates. The fiber reinforcement of lightweight samples led to a drastic increase in flexural strength by 65%, leaving unaffected the compressive strength and density of the specimens. The freeze–thaw and sorptivity tests were also improved after the introduction of both aggregates and fibers. Lightweight geopolymer composites exhibiting density in the range of 1.0–1.6 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, compressive strength of 10–33 MPa, flexural strength of 1.8–6.3 MPa, thermal conductivity of 0.29–0.42 W/mK, and sorptivity of 0.031–0.056 mm/min<sup>0.5</sup> were prepared. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:11:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-025d9ae4ca7e449b93caac86bbf05012 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-6131 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:11:58Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ceramics |
| spelling | doaj.art-025d9ae4ca7e449b93caac86bbf050122023-11-24T13:56:45ZengMDPI AGCeramics2571-61312022-10-015482183610.3390/ceramics5040060Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded PerliteDimitrios Kioupis0Aggeliki Skaropoulou1Sotirios Tsivilis2Glikeria Kakali3School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15773 Athens, GreeceSchool of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15773 Athens, GreeceSchool of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15773 Athens, GreeceSchool of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15773 Athens, GreeceIn this study, the use of expanded polystyrene and expanded perlite as lightweight aggregates for the preparation of lightweight geopolymers is tested. The geopolymers’ performance was evaluated through physical, mechanical and thermal testing. Polypropylene fibers were used as reinforcement agents, while the long-term durability was assessed though repeated wet–dry and freeze–thaw cycles and sorptivity tests. The results showed that the introduction of lightweight aggregates in the geopolymer mixes decreased the compressive and flexural strength of the specimens by 77% and 35%, respectively. However, the density and thermal conductivity were substantially improved because of the addition of low-density aggregates. The fiber reinforcement of lightweight samples led to a drastic increase in flexural strength by 65%, leaving unaffected the compressive strength and density of the specimens. The freeze–thaw and sorptivity tests were also improved after the introduction of both aggregates and fibers. Lightweight geopolymer composites exhibiting density in the range of 1.0–1.6 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, compressive strength of 10–33 MPa, flexural strength of 1.8–6.3 MPa, thermal conductivity of 0.29–0.42 W/mK, and sorptivity of 0.031–0.056 mm/min<sup>0.5</sup> were prepared.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/5/4/60lightweight geopolymerexpanded polystyreneexpanded perlitemechanical propertiesthermal conductivitymicrostructure |
| spellingShingle | Dimitrios Kioupis Aggeliki Skaropoulou Sotirios Tsivilis Glikeria Kakali Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Perlite Ceramics lightweight geopolymer expanded polystyrene expanded perlite mechanical properties thermal conductivity microstructure |
| title | Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Perlite |
| title_full | Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Perlite |
| title_fullStr | Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Perlite |
| title_full_unstemmed | Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Perlite |
| title_short | Properties and Durability Performance of Lightweight Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Composites Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene and Expanded Perlite |
| title_sort | properties and durability performance of lightweight fly ash based geopolymer composites incorporating expanded polystyrene and expanded perlite |
| topic | lightweight geopolymer expanded polystyrene expanded perlite mechanical properties thermal conductivity microstructure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/5/4/60 |
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