Influence of the Composition and Curing Time on Mechanical Properties of Fluidized Bed Combustion Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer

This paper presents novel research on a fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ash-based geopolymer as a contribution to the problem of FBC fly ash disposal, and a proposal for a new geopolymer composition—an environmentally friendly material that is possible to use in construction. Geopolymer samples of various composition (containing FBC fly ash as the main raw material, metakaolin and CRT glass as additional components, and sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide as activators) were subjected to flexural and compressive strength tests. An investigation on the effect of the demolding time was carried out on one selected mixture. The test showed that both the composition and the demolding time have a decisive influence on the basic mechanical properties. A mixture containing FBC fly ash to metakaolin in a mass ratio of 3:1, removed from the mold after 14 days, was found to be the best in terms of the mechanical parameters expected from a material that could be used in construction, e.g., for the production of precast elements. According to the results obtained, FBC fly ash is a promising and environmentally friendly raw material for the production of geopolymer, with good mechanical properties and low density. Moreover, a high compressive strength can be obtained by curing the geopolymer at ambient temperature.