Produção de agregados sintéticos para construção civil a partir de materiais geopoliméricos

Abstract

The civil construction industry is one of the sectors of the economy that consume the most natural resources, from the production of inputs to the execution of the work, which can significantly affect the environment and the quality of life of the population. Geopolymers are inorganic polymers with great ecological potential, produced from aluminosilicates and synthesized by alkaline solutions, providing the material with better mechanical resistance. Geopolymeric cement is a high-tech material developed using clay minerals, with characteristics such as durability, mechanical resistance, strong adhesion, heat resistance, in addition to being easily mixed and applied. The present study sought, through a correct proportion of the components that constitute the geopolymer, the production of a Geopolymeric Synthetic Aggregate (ASG), making variations with percentages of blast furnace slag and variations in the alkaline concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Soon after, physical tests were carried out on the powdered materials to verify the fineness index, loss on fire and moisture content of kaolin, metakaolin and blast furnace slag. The samples underwent characterization and the main analyzes involved in the process were: X-ray diffraction (DRX), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDS. A compression test was also carried out on the geopolymer synthetic aggregate specimen. The results of the compressive strength test indicated that the specimen with a percentage of 35% blast furnace slag and an alkaline concentration of sodium hydroxide at 10 molar presented better results. In the analysis of the microstructure of the paste, a dense morphology was observed, which gives the material high resistance to compression.