Investigation of the durability of geopolymer concretes produced by using ferrochrome slag and blast furnace slag against to freeze and thaw effects

In this study, the durability of geopolymer concretes produced by using Elazığ ferrochrome slag (EFC) and blast furnace slag (YFC) as binder against to freeze and thaw effects was investigated. For this purpose, five groups of geopolymer concrete were produced by adding 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% YFC by weight of instead of EFC. The produced geopolymer concrete samples were exposed to freeze-thaw effect up to 300 cycles in 50 cycle periods according to ASTM C666 standard after completing the curing period of 28 days. In this process, compressive strength values, ultrasonic pulse velocities (UPV) and weight changes of geopolymer concrete were determined and, their visual changes and microstructure analysis were examined. The test results were compared with the results of the control samples. According to the results of the experiment, the highest compressive strength value was obtained in the E0 group, and it was observed that the compressive strength values decreased with increasing EFC ratio. When the samples were examined visually, the freezing and thawing effects were observed with the effect of dispersing first on the corners and then on the surfaces of the samples. The deterioration of the samples was the least in group E0 and the most in group E100. The samples in the E75 and E100 group failed after 200 and 150 cycles, respectively.