Effects of Reactive MgO on the Reaction Process of Geopolymer

• Published in: Materials Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 526
• Main Authors: Li, Zhaoheng, Zhang, Wei, Wang, Ruilan, Chen, Fangzhu, Jia, Xichun, Cong, Peitong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 10-02-2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Cement; Compressive strength; Concrete; Curing; Deformation; geopolymer; Humidity; Magnesium oxide; Mechanical properties; Organic chemistry; Particle size; Pastes; Pore size; Porosity; reaction process; reactive MgO; Shrinkage; Slag; China; Germany; geopolymer; reaction process; reactive MgO; shrinkage
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma12030526

In order to compensate for the shrinkage of geopolymer pastes uniformly, reactive MgO powders are evenly dispersed in the geopolymer. The deformation performance, mechanical properties, microstructure and components of geopolymer pastes with reactive MgO are characterized. The effects of the content and the activity of MgO are discussed. The results indicate that the chemical shrinkage, autogenous shrinkage and drying shrinkage decrease with the addition of reactive MgO. MgO reacted with water, and fine Mg(OH)₂ crystals forms as a geopolymer paste. Mg(OH)₂ produces uniform expansion, which refines the pore size of pastes and the compressive strength increases. The shrinkage of the geopolymer pastes is thus effectively compensated.