Production of colemanite doped geopolymer heat insulation material containing high percantage of brick bottom ash

In this research, metakaolin and colemanite admixtures will be evaluated together with brick base ash in the production of heat insulation material by using the recent trend geopolymerization method. Geopolymers, which are cementless technology, are generally formed by reaction of alumina and silica based clays with alkali activators. Among the geopolymer-based products, geopolymer foams are in demand because of their low thermal conductivity and nature-friendly products. Although the best results in the production of geopolymer foam have been achieved by using Metakaolin as the source of aluminasilicate, geopolymers with very good properties are also produced by using waste products from different sectors. In this study, base ash formed as a result of the intensive brick production process in Afyon, Kütahya and Turgutlu districts will be used as the source of aluminasilicate. The brick base ash is mixed at the maximum rate with the minimum proportions of metakaolin and dissolved in alkali consisting of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is added to provide foam formation. Homogeneity will be ensured during pore formation by addition of surfactant. The mixture poured into the molds will be cured at 70oC and 90oC for 6 hours. One of the prescriptions will have a different cure condition. In this context, the mortar would be poured into the mold, and after swelling, we would wait for one day with the mouth closed. After one day, the product, which is removed from the mold, will be kept in a sealed bag for 28 days and subjected to cure at its own temperature and humidity. The products that complete the curing period shall be kept for 28 days in room conditions for testing. In addition, in order to observe the effect of low atomic diameter colemanite mineral additive on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the final product, colemanite prescription experiments will be carried out under the same process and curing conditions. Colemanite with two different grain sizes (45µ and 75µ) will be used for observing the grain size effect. The characteristics of microstructural, mechanical, thermal conductivity and density tests of the final product will be determined and given to the literature.