Role of class-C fly Ash in the Development of Strength & Microstructure of Fly Ash-GGBS Geopolymer1

The class-C fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) based geopolymer activated in NaOH (4M) was studied regarding compressive strength, porosity, microstructure and formation of crystalline phases. The class-C FA and GGBS blends resulted in reduced strength and increased porosity of the matrix with the increase in FA content. The unreactivity of calcium in blends was observed with increasing FA content leading to strength loss. it is evident from XRD patterns that calcium in FA did not contribute in forming CSH bond, but formation of crystalline calcite was observed. Furthermore, XRD analyses revealed that reduction in FA leads to the reduction in crystallinity and SEM micrographs showed the unreactive FA particles which hinder the formation of denser matrix.