Investigation of alkali activated slag mortar properties of produced using super absorbent materials

Considering the economic and environmental damage caused by Portland cement, interest in alternative geopolymer mortars is increasing day by day. Various by-products are formed during iron production in iron and steel factories in the Iskenderun region. In the thesis study, geopolymer mortars were prepared by activating ground granulated blast furnace slag (OGYFC), one of the by-products, with alkalis, and the mechanical, permeability and resistance to chemical effects of the samples produced by adding sodium polyacrylate, which is an additional water source, were investigated. In the study, mixtures were prepared by adding 50 gr super absorbent polymer (SAP) to geopolymer mortars prepared with slag/aggregate/solution ratio determined in accordance with ASTM 109C standard, 6% sodium concentration and 1,5 silicate modulus. Curing time, curing method, SAP solution method (SAP-1, SAP-2) and mixing water temperature were determined as experimental variables in the mixture design. 6 kinds of mixtures with and without SAP additives were prepared in 40x40x160 mm molds. In the study, curing methods were applied to the samples in medium, oven and liquid (water and alkaline solution) for 1, 7, 28 days. In order to examine the porous structure, the connection between the voids and the permeability properties of the samples, which are kept in different cures as a result of the SAP additive, unit weight, water absorption, current water condition, capillarity etc. tests were applied. Bending, pressure, ultrasonic wave velocity, resonance frequency, carbonation, wetting-drying tests were performed on the samples, which were kept under ambient conditions for 28, 56 and 90 days. In addition, 5% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) were used for 1 month acid and sulfate resistance tests and the data were analyzed. In order to compare the experimental results obtained, statistical analysis data were also created by using the correlation coefficient. According to the results, it was observed that the C and D samples gave better results in the tests. İnstead of water, into the SAP, also keeping the mortar in the solution prepared under curing conditions reduces the porosity by increasing the density of the mortar.