Strength, expansion and microstructural change of fly ash geopolymer mortars containing field Para rubber latex immersed in magnesium sulfate and sulfuric acid
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2026.414525Keywords:
Mortar, Alkaline activators, Fly ash, MicrostructuralAbstract
Geopolymer mortar from fly ash (FA) and field Para rubber latex (FPRL) with alkaline activators was exposed to 5% magnesium sulfate and sulfuric acid for 90 days with compressive strength. Key parameters assessed include compressive strength, expansion, degradation products, and microstructural changes, analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study focused on heat-curing time and FPRL content. Samples were cured at 80°C for 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 hours, with FPRL added at 0%, 1%, 2.5%, and 5% by the weight of fly ash. The optimal mixture 1% FPRL with heat curing for 4 hours not only yielded the highest compressive strength but also effectively mitigated the loss of compressive strength caused by exposure to magnesium sulfate and sulfuric acid. Expansion decreased with higher FPRL content and longer curing times. SEM revealed diverse textures based on composition and a porous matrix caused by sulfuric acid erosion.
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