Open AccessDegradation kinetics of alkali-activated mortar in aggressive citric acid environment
Author(s) -
M S Nidhu,
V R Sniktha,
Libin Benny,
Jerin Thomas,
Athira Ajay,
K P Ramaswamy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/989/1/012007
Subject(s) - citric acid , ground granulated blast furnace slag , mortar , geopolymer , leaching (pedology) , kinetics , degradation (telecommunications) , porosity , alkali metal , materials science , chemistry , metallurgy , composite material , cement , compressive strength , environmental science , organic chemistry , telecommunications , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , soil science , soil water
Acid attack is a complex phenomenon arising in construction industries worldwide as it is responsible for the deterioration of concrete in acidic environments resulting in premature degradation with regard to mass changes, weakening of mechanical properties, and increase in porosity due to calcium leaching. This paper investigates the citric acid resistance of geopolymer composites (GP) and its comparison with conventional concrete system (OPC) in lower and higher concentrations of acid medium. The GP samples displayed increased resistance to citric acid attack than OPC system in terms of mass and strength loss. It was also found that geopolymer mortar made with a blend of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and red mud (RM) offered increased acid resistance based on the parameters studied in the degradation kinetics