Properties and Morphology of Fly Ash Based Alkali Activated Material (AAM) Paste Under Steam Curing Condition

This paper details the properties, microstructures, and morphologies of the fly ash-based alkali-activated material (AAM), also known as geopolymers, under various steam curing temperatures. The steam curing temperature result in subsequent high strengths relative to average curing temperatures. However, detailed studies involving the use of steam curing for AAM remain scarce. The AAM paste was prepared by mixing fly ash with an alkali activator consisting of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The sample was steam cured at 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, and 80°C, and the fresh paste was tested for its setting time. The sample also prepared for compressive strength, density, and water absorption testings. It was observed that the fastest time for the fly ash geopolymer to start hardening was at 80°C at only 10 minutes due to the elevated temperature quickening the hydration of the paste. The compressive strength of the AAM increased with increasing curing time from 3 days to 28 days. The AAM’s highest compressive strength was 61 MPa when the sample was steam cured at 50°C for 28 days. The density of AAM was determined to be ~2122 2187 kg/m3, while its water absorption was ~6.72-8.82%. The phase analyses showed the presence of quartz, srebrodolskite, fayalite, and hematite, which indirectly confirms Fe and Ca’s role in the hydration of AAM. The morphology of AAM steam-cured at 50°C showed small amounts of unreacted fly ash and a denser matrix, which resulted in high compressive strength.