In this paper a preliminary study is conducted on use of calcium carbide as an aerator in geopolymer paste and mortar. A 12 mole sodium hydroxide with sodium silicate solution was mixed with fly ash in 1:2 ratio to create geopolymer paste. To make mortar, graded sand was used as 3- parts with 1-part paste. Calcium carbide was added in various percentages viz 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% to paste as first trial and mortar as second trial. Calcium carbide reacts with water to produce acetylene gas and heat. Acetylene gas works as aerator and heat developed helps in ambient curing of geopolymer paste and mortar. The mixes are cast into cubes of 50sqcm and properties such as density, water absorption and compressive strength were evaluated. The 3% calcium carbide paste showed less density, more water absorption and less compressive strength. The mortar’s density was hovering around 1800kg/m3, water absorption was less than paste and compressive strength was maximum for 4% calcium carbide.
Geopolymer; aerated concrete; calcium carbide; acetylene gas; mortar
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