Effect of Curing Methods on the Artificial Production of Fly Ash Aggregates

The experimental investigation, provides the results on the artificially produced fly ash aggregates through the pelletization process, is presented in this paper. NaOH and Na2SiO3 were used as alkali activator as a binder. The composition of alkaline solution is maintained as 5% of Na2O and SiO2/Na2O ratio of 0.3 with respect to weight of fly ash used. The detailed investigation is carried out by varying the water content to identify the optimum dosage of water in the alkaline solution in the fly ash pelletization. Further, different methods of curing were investigated to check for the suitable curing method for the production of fly ash aggregate produced. Optimum water content and suitable curing method will be identified through efficiency of pelletization and aggregate properties. Grey relation analysis is performed on the experimental test results to identify the influence of curing method on the produced aggregates. From these results, it is clearly understood that the curing method has significantly improved produced aggregates.