Durability properties of slag–waste glass binary geopolymer.

The durability properties of geopolymer mortars prepared using different contents of slag and glass powder (GP) were examined and compared with the properties of Portland cement mortar (PCM). The slag–GP mixes were activated with a 6 M sodium hydroxide solution at a liquid-to-solid ratio of 0.35. The performance of 28-day cured specimens after high-temperature exposure, wetting–drying and freezing–thawing cycles, water slaking, surface abrasion and alkali–silica reaction (ASR) were examined. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to identify the microstructural changes in the materials. The results showed that an appropriate GP content (10%) enhanced the performance of the slag–GP binary geopolymer and improved its durability. However, ASR expansion was found to increase marginally. The geopolymer specimens achieved higher strength and durability than PCM due to their dense and compact microstructure with significant gel formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]