Geopolymerisation behaviour of size fractioned fly ash

Fly ash is a fine powder residue resulted from combustion of pulverized coal in thermal power plants. Different size fractions of fly ash have different properties. Four size fractions (with characteristic particle diameter D-50 of 40.37, 23.64, 10.33 and 2.98 mu m respectively) collected from different fields of an electrostatic precipitator and representing the entire particle spectrum of fly ash has been selected for the study. These fractions have been characterized for their granulometry, chemistry, glass content and mineralogical phases. Geopolymerisation of size fractioned fly ash has been carried out at ambient (27 degrees C) and elevated (60 degrees C) temperature using isothermal conduction calorimetry (ICC) and the microstructure has been studied using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis probe (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Calorimetric studies showed that the heat flow curve during geopolymerisation has linear correlation with the glass content of fly ash. The compressive strength development at both ambient and elevated temperature was due to the combined effect of SiO2/Al2O3 ratio, particle size and glass content. SEM-EDS studies have shown more reaction product in finer fractions and unreacted particles in coarser fractions. Formation of more thermonatrite phase was due to poor reactivity of coarse size fraction resulting into free alkali which in presence of atmospheric carbon formed Na2CO3 center dot H2O. (C) 2014 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.