Synthesis and Characterizations of High Carbon Ferrochrome (HCFC) Slag Based Geopolymer

In the present Investigation, Geopolymer (GP) is made using High carbon Ferrochrome (HCFC) slag by synthesizing silicon and aluminum present in it with alkali liquid solution which binds other non-reactive materials present in the slag. The compressive strength of GP is found to be 11 MPa after 7-days of air curing. Increasing air curing time to 28-days, the strength is measured to be 15 MPa. XRD analyses indicate that there is gradual transformation of crystalline phases to non-crystalline glassy phases. SEM images show presence of more amount of glassy phase after air curing for a longer time. This is also corroborated with mechanical properties such as compressive strength. TGA results are also discussed for both uncured and cured GP samples. DSC isotherms indicate oozing out of inbuilt water present in the prepared GP materials which is an indication of condensation polymerization reaction occurring during the formation of Geopolymers