Effect of Particle Size and Molarity of Hardening Solution on the Mechanical Properties of New Geopolymeric Mortars Manufactured from Mine Tailings

Abstract

In this work, the effect of the maximum particle size and the molar concentration of the alkaline hardening solution on the mechanical response in uniaxial compression of geopolymeric mortars manufactured from the geopolymerization of Peruvian mine tailings dust was evaluated. The mechanical results found showed that the average mechanical resistance increased as the molar concentration of the hardening solution increased from 10 to 15M, on the other hand, it was possible to verify that as the particle size of sand and mine tailings is greater, the mechanical resistance values increased. The mechanical data found are in good agreement with the porosity results, that is, as the porosity values increased, the mechanical resistance gradually decreased. The stiffness values reported in the studied geopolymeric mortars showed a slight increase when the values of molar concentration and maximum particle size increased. All the mortars studied presented a similar microstructure, with fine sand particles dispersed within a continuous phase of geopolymer (geopolymerized mining tailings).