Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortars

Microwave curing can be an alternative curing method for geopolymer production. Although many properties of microwave-cured geopolymer composites have been investigated, the effect of microwave curing on the strength and durability properties of fiber-reinforced geopolymers remains a topic that requ...

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Main Author: Adil Gultekin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3723
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author Adil Gultekin
author_facet Adil Gultekin
author_sort Adil Gultekin
collection DOAJ
description Microwave curing can be an alternative curing method for geopolymer production. Although many properties of microwave-cured geopolymer composites have been investigated, the effect of microwave curing on the strength and durability properties of fiber-reinforced geopolymers remains a topic that requires investigation. In this study, the effect of fiber type and length on the properties of microwave-cured metakaolin-based geopolymers was investigated. For this purpose, PVA (6, 12 mm) and polymer (15, 30 mm) fibers were utilized. Compressive and flexural strength, fracture energy, abrasion resistance, high-temperature resistance, water absorption capacity and rate of capillary water absorption tests were conducted and the microstructure was examined using scanning electron microscopy. For curing, a household microwave oven was used at a power level of 300 watts. With the fibers’ inclusion, fracture energies could be increased by up to 1150%, ductility was enhanced, flexural strengths were increased and compressive strengths decreased. Moreover, the rate of capillary water absorption decreased by up to 13%, while water absorption values increased by between 5% and 12%. The results suggested that microwave curing could be an alternative curing method for the production of fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites, offering shorter curing times and lower energy consumption.
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spelling doaj-art-eb7dce017c474a89a69f5cd33aa94f1c2025-08-20T02:50:56ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-11-011412372310.3390/buildings14123723Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer MortarsAdil Gultekin0Department of Civil Engineering, Duzce University, Duzce 81620, TurkiyeMicrowave curing can be an alternative curing method for geopolymer production. Although many properties of microwave-cured geopolymer composites have been investigated, the effect of microwave curing on the strength and durability properties of fiber-reinforced geopolymers remains a topic that requires investigation. In this study, the effect of fiber type and length on the properties of microwave-cured metakaolin-based geopolymers was investigated. For this purpose, PVA (6, 12 mm) and polymer (15, 30 mm) fibers were utilized. Compressive and flexural strength, fracture energy, abrasion resistance, high-temperature resistance, water absorption capacity and rate of capillary water absorption tests were conducted and the microstructure was examined using scanning electron microscopy. For curing, a household microwave oven was used at a power level of 300 watts. With the fibers’ inclusion, fracture energies could be increased by up to 1150%, ductility was enhanced, flexural strengths were increased and compressive strengths decreased. Moreover, the rate of capillary water absorption decreased by up to 13%, while water absorption values increased by between 5% and 12%. The results suggested that microwave curing could be an alternative curing method for the production of fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites, offering shorter curing times and lower energy consumption.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3723geopolymerPVA fiberpolymer fibermicrowave curingfracture energydurability
spellingShingle Adil Gultekin
Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortars
Buildings
geopolymer
PVA fiber
polymer fiber
microwave curing
fracture energy
durability
title Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortars
title_full Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortars
title_fullStr Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortars
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortars
title_short Effect of Fiber Type and Length on Strength, Fracture Energy, and Durability Properties of Microwave-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortars
title_sort effect of fiber type and length on strength fracture energy and durability properties of microwave cured fiber reinforced geopolymer mortars
topic geopolymer
PVA fiber
polymer fiber
microwave curing
fracture energy
durability
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3723
work_keys_str_mv AT adilgultekin effectoffibertypeandlengthonstrengthfractureenergyanddurabilitypropertiesofmicrowavecuredfiberreinforcedgeopolymermortars