Effects of epoxy resin on the mechanical performance and thickening properties of geopolymer cured at low temperature

The research objectives were to investigate the influence of waterborne bisphenol-A epoxy resin on mechanical performance and thickening properties of metakaolin-slag based geopolymer at 10 degrees C. Test results showed that the epoxy resin has ability to decrease the thickening time, while the benzyl glycidyl ether diluent can prolong thickening time. Hydration heat test was performed to explain the different consistency increasing trend of pure geopolymer and hybrid composite samples. Epoxy equivalent analysis was carried out to explain the mechanism of dilution effect on thickening time. The 1-day compressive strength of geopolymer was reinforced by doping epoxy resin, but the 3-day strength was lower than pure geopolymer when the doping amount of epoxy resin was below 50%. The morphology and quantitative element results revealed that the homogenous and high degree of miscibility led to dense and uncracked morphology. In order to enhance the durability of cement sheath under deep water strata stress wave condition, we should increase the dosage of ER to achieve low Young's modulus. The benzyl glycidyl ether diluent is recommended to make thickening time adjustable and to reinforce the compressive strength. This novel material makes the geopolymer-based composites applicable for oil wells cementation at low temperatures. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.