Investigation of aluminosilicate based geopolymers

In this thesis, the production and characterization of geopolymers which reacted with kaolin-based alkaline reactants was carried out. Moulding and forming methods with hydraulic hand pres has been used in the production of geopolymers based on kaolin. In addition, energy saving is achived by curing samples at low temperatures (60-80˚C) without sintering. X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) was used to determine the chemical composition of the kaolin that used as raw material. SiO2 and Al2O3 are preferred as the base material because of their high content. X-Ray diffractometer was used to determine the crystal sizes and phase quantities and types of final products and raw materials. Significant reductions in the strenght of the specimens were found with increasing kaolinite phase elongation and crystal size predominantly in the crystal phases. Furier transform infrared spectrophotometer was used to determine the resulting bonds. A concrete pres tester with servo control was used to measure the strenght. The micro structure of the produced geopolymer was tested with scaning electron microscope (SEM). Analyzed geopolymer samples were found to have high strength and increased strength with various additives (silica fume, glass water, etc.).