2024 | Gabriel Furtos, Doina Prodan, Codruta Sarosi, Marioara Moldovan, Kinga Korniejenko, Leonard Miller, Lukáš Fiala and Novakóvá Iveta
This article investigates the mechanical properties of MiniBars™ basalt fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites (MiniBars™ FRBCs). Fly ash-based geopolymers are considered an alternative to ordinary Portland cement. MiniBars™ are basalt fiber composites used to reinforce the geopolymer matrix. The study incorporated varying amounts of MiniBars™ (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 75 vol.%) into the geopolymer matrix. Geopolymers were prepared by mixing fly ash with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide as alkaline activators. MiniBars™ FRBCs were cured at 70°C for 48 hours and tested for mechanical properties. Optical microscopy and SEM were used to analyze the fillers and MiniBars™ FRBC. The results showed that the mechanical properties of MiniBars™ FRBC increased significantly compared to geopolymer without MiniBars™. Flexural strength increased by 11.59–25.97 times, flexural modulus by 3.33–5.92 times, tensile strength by 3.50–8.03 times, tensile modulus by 1.12–1.30 times, and force load at upper yield tensile strength by 4.18–7.27 times. SEM and optical microscopy confirmed a good geopolymer network around MiniBars™. The study concludes that MiniBars™ FRBC could be a promising green material for buildings.This article investigates the mechanical properties of MiniBars™ basalt fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites (MiniBars™ FRBCs). Fly ash-based geopolymers are considered an alternative to ordinary Portland cement. MiniBars™ are basalt fiber composites used to reinforce the geopolymer matrix. The study incorporated varying amounts of MiniBars™ (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 75 vol.%) into the geopolymer matrix. Geopolymers were prepared by mixing fly ash with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide as alkaline activators. MiniBars™ FRBCs were cured at 70°C for 48 hours and tested for mechanical properties. Optical microscopy and SEM were used to analyze the fillers and MiniBars™ FRBC. The results showed that the mechanical properties of MiniBars™ FRBC increased significantly compared to geopolymer without MiniBars™. Flexural strength increased by 11.59–25.97 times, flexural modulus by 3.33–5.92 times, tensile strength by 3.50–8.03 times, tensile modulus by 1.12–1.30 times, and force load at upper yield tensile strength by 4.18–7.27 times. SEM and optical microscopy confirmed a good geopolymer network around MiniBars™. The study concludes that MiniBars™ FRBC could be a promising green material for buildings.