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Investigation of thermal and mechanical properties of perlite-based lightweight geopolymer composites

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Abstract

The objectives of this study include minimizing the thermal conductivity of the produced materials, reducing dead loads of structures through lightweight composite material production, and increasing perlite use in areas close to material deposits. To this end, lightweight geopolymer composites were produced using ground raw perlite as a precursor, expanded perlite as an aggregate, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as an activator. The produced samples were cured in an oven at 110 °C for 24 h. Within the scope of this study, unit weight, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity coefficient tests were conducted. Additionally, microstructure analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). As a result, it has been shown that ground raw perlite can be used as a precursor in geopolymer composites, while expanded perlite demonstrates suitability as a lightweight and porous aggregate for heat insulation applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Kırıkkale University, 71451, Kırıkkale, Turkey

    Ilhami Demir & Ozer Sevim

  2. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ankara University, 06710, Ayaş, Turkey

    Selahattin Güzelküçük

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Gazi University, 06560, Ankara, Turkey

    Osman Şimşek

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  1. Ilhami Demir
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  2. Selahattin Güzelküçük
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  3. Ozer Sevim
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Correspondence to Ozer Sevim.

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Demir, I., Güzelküçük, S., Sevim, O. et al. Investigation of thermal and mechanical properties of perlite-based lightweight geopolymer composites. Archiv.Civ.Mech.Eng 23, 266 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43452-023-00808-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43452-023-00808-2

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