Geopolymers based on fly ash with the addition of granulated blast furnaced slag
Geopolymer is a type of inorganic polymer which hardens after being synthesized at ambient temperature. Geopolymers are synthesized by the reaction of poly-condensation of the geopolymer precursor and alkali activator. Ecologically, it would be more favourable to use industrial by-products since the hazardous waste is being taken care of. The most frequently used raw materials for geopolymer production are: kaolin clays, meta-kaolin, fly ash, blast furnace slag, fly ash and slag mixture, fly ash and meta-kaolin mixture and so forth. Fly ash from the Stanari Termal Power Plant, granulated slag from ArcelorMittal Zenica and quarc sand from Tuzla were used as initial raw material for the purpose of the study presented in this work. Based on the results obtained through research carried out in laboratory conditions at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences in Zenica and at the "Kakanj" Cement Factory, it can be concluded that fly ash from the TPP Stanari together with granulated blast furnace slag from ArcelorMittal Zenica can successfully use for the production of geopolymer. This test determined that the best compressive strength results were obtained by samples with a ratio of water glass/NaOH=2.0 and that the optimal heat treatment temperature was 60°C.