Journals / Gaziosmanpaşa Bilimsel Araştırma Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 15 Sayı: 2

Effects of NaOH Molarity, Curing Temperature, and Curing Duration on the Physical and Mechanical Performance of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Mortars

Uçucu Kül Esaslı Geopolimer Harçların Fiziksel ve Mekanik Özelliklerine NaOH Molaritesi, Kür Sıcaklığı ve Kür Süresinin Etkisi

Erdinç Halis Alakara(TOKAT GAZİOSMANPAŞA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)
Pages
106–117
Publication Date
2026-09-30
DOI
—
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The results indicated that increasing NaOH molarity reduced the workability of geopolymer mortars.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigated the effects of NaOH molarity and curing temperature on the workability, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), flexural strength, and compressive strength of Class F fly ash-based geopolymer mortars.
📊
Key Findings & Data:For this purpose, geopolymer mortars were produced using 6, 8, and 10 M NaOH solutions and subjected to thermal curing at 80°C and 100°C for 24 h.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The results indicated that increasing NaOH molarity reduced the workability of geopolymer mortars.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Geopolimer harç · uçucu kül · NaOH molaritesi

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of NaOH molarity and curing temperature on the workability, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), flexural strength, and compressive strength of Class F fly ash-based geopolymer mortars. For this purpose, geopolymer mortars were produced using 6, 8, and 10 M NaOH solutions and subjected to thermal curing at 80°C and 100°C for 24 h. Following thermal curing, the specimens were stored under laboratory conditions and tested at the ages of 1, 7, and 28 days. The workability of fresh mortars was evaluated using the flow table test, while UPV, flexural strength, and compressive strength tests were performed on hardened specimens. The results indicated that increasing NaOH molarity reduced the workability of geopolymer mortars. In contrast, higher curing temperatures positively influenced both UPV and mechanical properties. The highest UPV value was obtained in the 10 M mixture cured at 100°C. Flexural and compressive strength results revealed that the optimum NaOH molarity may vary depending on the applied curing temperature. The highest strength values were achieved with the 8 M mixture at 80°C, whereas the 10 M mixture exhibited the best mechanical performance at 100°C. Furthermore, increasing curing age contributed positively to strength development in all mixtures. Overall, the findings demonstrate that NaOH molarity and curing temperature should be considered together to optimize the performance of fly ash-based geopolymer mortars.

Özet

Bu çalışmada, F sınıfı uçucu kül esaslı geopolimer harçlarda NaOH molaritesinin ve kür sıcaklığının işlenebilirlik, ultrases geçiş hızı (UGH), eğilme dayanımı ve basınç dayanımı üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla 6, 8 ve 10 M NaOH çözeltileri kullanılarak geopolimer harçlar üretilmiş ve numuneler 80°C ve 100°C sıcaklıklarda 24 saat süreyle ısıl küre tabi tutulmuştur. Isıl kür işleminin ardından numuneler oda koşullarında muhafaza edilmiş ve deneyler 1, 7 ve 28 günlük yaşlarda gerçekleştirilmiştir. Taze haldeki harçların işlenebilirliği yayılma tablası deneyi ile belirlenirken, sertleşmiş numunelerde UGH, eğilme dayanımı ve basınç dayanımı deneyleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar NaOH molaritesindeki artışın geopolimer harçların işlenebilirliğini azalttığını göstermiştir. Buna karşılık, kür sıcaklığının artırılması UGH ile mekanik özellikleri olumlu yönde etkilemiştir. En yüksek UGH değeri 100°C’de kürlenen 10 M karışımında elde edilmiştir. Eğilme ve basınç dayanımı sonuçları, optimum NaOH molaritesinin uygulanan kür sıcaklığına bağlı olarak değişebileceğini ortaya koymuştur. 80°C’de kürlenen numunelerde en yüksek dayanım değerleri 8 M karışımında elde edilirken, 100°C’de kürlenen numunelerde en yüksek dayanımlar 10 M karışımında belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca kür süresinin uzaması tüm karışımlarda dayanım gelişimini olumlu yönde etkilemiştir. Sonuç olarak, uçucu kül esaslı geopolimer harçların performansının geliştirilmesinde NaOH molaritesi ve kür sıcaklığının birlikte değerlendirilmesi gerektiği belirlenmiştir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Alakara, E. H. (2026). Effects of NaOH Molarity, Curing Temperature, and Curing Duration on the Physical and Mechanical Performance of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Mortars. Gaziosmanpaşa Bilimsel Araştırma Dergisi, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 2, 106–117. https://ajindex.com/articles/1487541

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (30)

  1. Ali, M. B., Saidur, R., & Hossain, M. S. (2011). A review on emission analysis in cement industries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(5), 2252–2261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.02.014
  2. Atiş, C. D. (2005). Strength properties of high-volume fly ash roller compacted and workable concrete, and influence of curing condition. Cement and Concrete Research, 35(6), 1112–1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.07.037
  3. Atiş, C. D., Görür, E. B., Karahan, O., Bilim, C., İlkentapar, S., & Luga, E. (2015). Very high strength (120 MPa) class F fly ash geopolymer mortar activated at different NaOH amount, heat curing temperature and heat curing duration. Construction and Building Materials, 96, 673–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.08.089
  4. Çavuş, M., & Bingöl, Ş. (2023). Farklı Molaritelere Sahip KOH Çözeltisi Kullanılarak Üretilen Cüruf Esaslı Geopolimer Harçlarda Kür Sıcaklığı Etkisinin İncelenmesi. Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 6(3), 1959–1970.
  5. Chindaprasirt, P., Chareerat, T., & Sirivivatnanon, V. (2007). Workability and strength of coarse high calcium fly ash geopolymer. Cement and Concrete Composites, 29(3), 224–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2006.11.002
  6. Chindaprasirt, P., Jaturapitakkul, C., Chalee, W., & Rattanasak, U. (2009). Comparative study on the characteristics of fly ash and bottom ash geopolymers. Waste Management, 29(2), 539–543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.06.023
  7. Ekinci, E. (2023). The effects of different production parameters (NaOH concentration, curing regime and replacement ratio of recycled aggregate) on fresh, hardened and elevated temperature performance of geopolymer mortar samples. Journal of Building Engineering, 76, 107052. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2023.107052
  8. Görhan, G., & Kürklü, G. (2014). The influence of the NaOH solution on the properties of the fly ash-based geopolymer mortar cured at different temperatures. Composites Part B: Engineering, 58, 371–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COMPOSITESB.2013.10.082
  9. Günel, G., Alakara, E. H., Demir, I., & Sevim, O. (2025). Thermal behavior and mechanical performance of glass waste-based geopolymer composites: Influence of elevated temperatures and cooling regimes. Construction and Building Materials, 494, 143405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.143405
  10. Hardjito, D., Cheak, C. C., & Lee Ing, C. H. (2008). Strength and setting times of low calcium Fly ash-based Geopolymer mortar. Modern Applied Science, 2(4), 3–11.
  11. Huseien, G. F., Ismail, M., Khalid, N. H. A., Hussin, M. W., & Mirza, J. (2018). Compressive strength and microstructure of assorted wastes incorporated geopolymer mortars: Effect of solution molarity. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 57(4), 3375–3386. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AEJ.2018.07.011
  12. John, S. K., Nadir, Y., & Girija, K. (2021). Effect of source materials, additives on the mechanical properties and durability of fly ash and fly ash-slag geopolymer mortar: A review. Construction and Building Materials, 280, 122443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122443
  13. Juenger, M. C. G., Winnefeld, F., Provis, J. L., & Ideker, J. H. (2011). Advances in alternative cementitious binders. Cement and Concrete Research, 41(12), 1232–1243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.11.012
  14. Komnitsas, K. A. (2011). Potential of geopolymer technology towards green buildings and sustainable cities. Procedia Engineering, 21, 1023–1032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.11.2108
  15. Mehta, K. P. (2001). Reducing the environmental impact of concrete. Concrete International, 23(10), 61–66.
  16. Nath, P., & Sarker, P. K. (2014). Effect of GGBFS on setting, workability and early strength properties of fly ash geopolymer concrete cured in ambient condition. Construction and Building Materials, 66, 163–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.05.080
  17. Phoo-Ngernkham, T., Maegawa, A., Mishima, N., Hatanaka, S., & Chindaprasirt, P. (2015). Effects of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solutions on compressive and shear bond strengths of FA–GBFS geopolymer. Construction and Building Materials, 91, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2015.05.001
  18. Phoo-ngernkham, T., Sata, V., Hanjitsuwan, S., Ridtirud, C., Hatanaka, S., & Chindaprasirt, P. (2016). Compressive strength, Bending and Fracture Characteristics of High Calcium Fly Ash Geopolymer Mortar Containing Portland Cement Cured at Ambient Temperature. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 41(4), 1263–1271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1906-4
  19. Rattanasak, U., & Chindaprasirt, P. (2009). Influence of NaOH solution on the synthesis of fly ash geopolymer. Minerals Engineering, 22(12), 1073–1078. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MINENG.2009.03.022
  20. Sathiparan, N., & Jeyananthan, P. (2024). Predicting compressive strength of quarry waste-based geopolymer mortar using machine learning algorithms incorporating mix design and ultrasonic pulse velocity. Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation, 39(8), 2486–2509. https://doi.org/10.1080/10589759.2024.2304257
  21. Sathonsaowaphak, A., Chindaprasirt, P., & Pimraksa, K. (2009). Workability and strength of lignite bottom ash geopolymer mortar. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 168(1), 44–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.01.120
  22. Sevim, O., Demir, I., Alakara, E. H., & Bayer, İ. R. (2023). Experimental Evaluation of New Geopolymer Composite with Inclusion of Slag and Construction Waste Firebrick at Elevated Temperatures. Polymers, 15(9), 2127. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092127
  23. Somna, K., Jaturapitakkul, C., Kajitvichyanukul, P., & Chindaprasirt, P. (2011). NaOH-activated ground fly ash geopolymer cured at ambient temperature. Fuel, 90(6), 2118–2124. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FUEL.2011.01.018
  24. Swanepoel, J. C., & Strydom, C. A. (2002). Utilisation of fly ash in a geopolymeric material. Applied Geochemistry, 17(8), 1143–1148. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-2927(02)00005-7
  25. Temuujin, J., van Riessen, A., & Williams, R. (2009). Influence of calcium compounds on the mechanical properties of fly ash geopolymer pastes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 167(1–3), 82–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.12.121
  26. Toklu, K., Aydın, B., Demir, İ., Demir, Ş., Günel, G., & Sevim, Ö. (2026). Ambient-cured alkali-activated geopolymer mortars: influence of activator molarity and fly ash replacement on microstructure and mechanical performance. Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, 26(2), 36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43452-025-01404-2
  27. TS EN 1015-3. (2000). Methods of Test for Mortar For masonry- Part 3: Determination of Consistence of Fresh Mortar (by flow Table), Turkish Standards Institution, Ankara, Turkey.
  28. TS EN 196-1. (2016). Methods of testing cement–Part 1: Determination of strength. Turkish Standard Institution, Ankara,.
  29. Vargas, A. S., Dal Molin, D. C. C., Vilela, A. C. F., Silva, F. J. da, Pavão, B., & Veit, H. (2011). The effects of Na2O/SiO2molar ratio, curing temperature and age on compressive strength, morphology and microstructure of alkali-activated fly ash-based geopolymers. Cement and Concrete Composites, 33(6), 653–660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.03.006
  30. Whitehurst, E. A. (1951). Soniscope tests concrete structures. In Journal Proceedings, 47(2), 433–444.