Geopolymer Foamed Mortars Based on Pozzolan: Structure, Physical and Mechanical Behavior as Function of Metakaolin Addition
Abstract
To obtain porous mortars, sand and a foaming agent were added to geopolymer pastes. The latter were made by mixing an activating solution made of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide with an aluminosilicate powder, primarily composed of pozzolan which was gradually replaced with metakaolin at 20%, 30%, and 40% by weight. Metakaolin was added as an accelerator to promote a higher compressive strength. The microstructures of the mortars were changed by the addition of a foaming agent, resulting in increased porosity as confirmed by the values of the open porosity and water absorption, attaining 27.6% - 73.3% and 14.9% - 40.2%, respectively. These materials are referred as porous and lightweight mortars due to their relatively low density between 1.51 - 1.7 g/cm3. The mechanical strength is in the range of 12.4 - 16.1 MPa, which is consistent with that of some structural materials. The obtained materials may be of potential interest in civil engineering, trapping, storage, as well as in thermal and acoustic insulation.
Related
- The effect of patchouli essential oil concentration on physical, mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) starch-based biofilms
- Increasing the metakaolin content of blended cements by cationic latex adsorption: Towards more sustainable concrete
- Physical, mechanical, and radiation shielding performance of granodiorite for construction applications
- Influence of Lamella Structure on Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of AlCoCrFeNi2.1 Eutectic High-Entropy Alloy Fabricated by Laser-Based Directed Energy Deposition
- Structure–Performance Interplay and Mechanical Degradation Modes in Lithium Cobalt Oxide Cathodes: Implications for Flexible Lithium-Ion Battery Design
BibTeX
@article{tchanang2026geopolymer,
title = {{Geopolymer Foamed Mortars Based on Pozzolan: Structure, Physical and Mechanical Behavior as Function of Metakaolin Addition}},
author = {Gustave Tchanang and Mamadou Yaya Baldé and Jean Marie Kepdieu and Ansoumane Keita and Berthelot Sop Tamo and Franc-Zobel Kouakep and Cyprien Joel Ekani and Chantale Njiomou Djangang and Phillipe Blanchart},
journal = {World Journal of Engineering and Technology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.4236/wjet.2026.142019},
url = {https://unilim.hal.science/hal-05799879v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Geopolymer Foamed Mortars Based on Pozzolan: Structure, Physical and Mechanical Behavior as Function of Metakaolin Addition
AU - Gustave Tchanang
AU - Mamadou Yaya Baldé
AU - Jean Marie Kepdieu
AU - Ansoumane Keita
AU - Berthelot Sop Tamo
AU - Franc-Zobel Kouakep
AU - Cyprien Joel Ekani
AU - Chantale Njiomou Djangang
AU - Phillipe Blanchart
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - World Journal of Engineering and Technology
DO - 10.4236/wjet.2026.142019
UR - https://unilim.hal.science/hal-05799879v1
AB - To obtain porous mortars, sand and a foaming agent were added to geopolymer pastes. The latter were made by mixing an activating solution made of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide with an aluminosilicate powder, primarily composed of pozzolan which was gradually replaced with metakaolin at 20%, 30%, and 40% by weight. Metakaolin was added as an accelerator to promote a higher compressive strength. The microstructures of the mortars were changed by the addition of a foaming agent, resulting in increased porosity as confirmed by the values of the open porosity and water absorption, attaining 27.6% - 73.3% and 14.9% - 40.2%, respectively. These materials are referred as porous and lightweight mortars due to their relatively low density between 1.51 - 1.7 g/cm3. The mechanical strength is in the range of 12.4 - 16.1 MPa, which is consistent with that of some structural materials. The obtained materials may be of potential interest in civil engineering, trapping, storage, as well as in thermal and acoustic insulation.
SN - 2331-4222
SN - 2331-4249
ER -