Chemical resistance of alkali-activated mortar with nano silica and polypropylene fiber

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2023-01, Vol.363, p.129847, Article 129847
• Main Authors: Hussein, Twana Ahmed, Dheyaaldin, Mahmood Hunar, Mosaberpanah, Mohammad Ali, Ahmed, Younus M.S., Mohammed, Hariwan A., Omer, Raian R., Hamid, Saad M., Alzeebaree, Radhwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkali activator mortar; Chemical resistant; Durability; Mechanical properties; Nanosilica; Polypropylene fiber; Sorptivity
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129847

•Performance of Alkali activated mortar (AAM) inclusion of nanosilica with polypropylene fiber.•Nano silica with 20–30 nm particle size were used and 6 mm length of polypropylene fiber.•Durability of AAM with and without nanosilica and polypropylene fiber.•Mechanical Performance and chemical resistant of AAM with and without nanosilica and polypropylene fiber.•Chemical resistant of AAM with and without nanosilica and polypropylene fiber, No elevated temperature was used for curing (Ambient curing). In this study, the mechanical and long-term performance of alkali-activated mortar (AAM) were investigated. In the fresh phase, the flow table and fresh density were evaluated. The compressive and flexural strengths were investigated at 28 and 56 days. In addition, the water absorption, sorptivity, and chemical resistance (sulfuric acid, magnesium sulfate, and sodium chloride) of AAM were investigated after 56 days of exposure Nano silica with and without polypropylene fiber was added to the AAM mixtures and cured at ambient temperature (23 ± 2 °C). Sodium silicates (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as alkaline-activated solution with a ratio of 1.5 to 2.5. The results show that the workability, water absorption, and sorptivity were better, with a ratio of 2.5 (the ratio of sodium silicates to sodium hydroxide). Nevertheless, the simultaneous use of fiber and nano-silica was adversely influenced. On the other hand, better hardened performanc was achieved with the ratio of 1.5. Moreover, the together use of fiber and nano-silica were reduced the flexural and compressive strengths when exposed to sulfuric acid, magnesium sulfate, and sodium chloride. In contrast, an increment of compressive strength was recorded for sodium chloride exposure.