Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE OF GAZI UNIVERSITY, cilt.39, sa.4, ss.2239-2251, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the possibilities of improving the properties of natural pozzolan-based geopolymer with microwave curing in a shorter time and with less energy consumption. Theory and Methods: Volcanic tuff from the Dat & ccedil;a Peninsula in Turkey was used as the source of aluminosilicate, standard sand was used as a filler, and 10 molar potassium hydroxide and sodium silicate were used as alkali activators. The specimens were cured by four different methods: (i) conventional heat curing only; (ii) microwave curing only; (iii) heat+microwave curing; (iv) microwave+heat curing. Results: It is possible to increase the physical and mechanical properties of natural pozzolan-based geopolymer mortar with microwave curing in a shorter time and with less energy consumption compared to conventional heat curing. Heat+microwave or microwave+heat curing (combined curing methods) provided higher physical and mechanical properties than only heat or microwave curing. Conclusion: The highest degree of reaction and the highest physical and mechanical properties were obtained with 24 hours of heat + 15 minutes of microwave curing. Although the application of this combined curing method causes a little more energy consumption compared to other methods, it is important in terms of improving the properties of the natural pozzolan-based geopolymer material.