Strength development of ground perlite-based geopolymer mortars

Raw perlite is a volcanic alumino-silicate and is used as aggregate in the construction industry. The high silica and alumina contained in the raw perlite allows the production of geopolymer mortar with the help of alkaline solutions. In this study, different geopolymer mortars are obtained by mixing ground perlite (GP), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), water and CEN standard sand and the strength and microstructure of these mortars are investigated. Mortar specimens are placed in the oven 24 hours after casting and kept at different temperatures and times, then the specimens are cured under laboratory conditions until the day of strength tests. After curing, unit weight, ultrasound pulse velocity, flexural and compressive strengths are determined. Experimental results indicate that the mechanical properties of the mortars enhance with increasing oven-curing period and temperatures as well as increasing NaOH molarity. In addition, SEM/EDS and XRD analyses are performed on the mortar specimens and the results are interpreted.