PRODUCTION OF CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS FIBER REIGNFORCED GEOPOLYMER BRICKS

Zvikomborero Lazarus Duri, Rajesh Arora, Naveen BP, Q.C. Kanhukamwe

Abstract: Clay and pozzolanic materials of different grades were mined and processed by first crushing them and then grinding them as raw materials to very fine powders. These powders were then calcined separately at different temperature levels ranging from 550 degrees Celsius to 850 degrees Celsius. The materials were also characterised before and after pyro processing using the XRF, XRD and PSD. One molar solution of Na OH and KOH were prepared and mixed with various proportions of the geopolymer materials. Chrysotile asbestos fibres of different furnish designs were also prepared. These fibres which provide reinforcement to the geopolymer are then mixed with the various grades of geopolymer materials according to the chosen mix designs. The resulting mix design is then first passed through a slow speed mixer and then through a high-speed mixer. The rheology of the product gradually changed from being a dry powder to be a liquid paste after mixing at high speed with the chrysotile fibre providing the reinforcement. The liquid paste was then used to produce bricks using a vibration mechanism and the top moving part of the brick making machine as the compaction mechanism. Properties of the chrysotile fibre reinforced bricks were tested at 2 days, 7days, 14 days and 28days for compressive strengths, tensile strengths, corrosion resistance and resistance to acid attack. The results of the asbestos fibre reinforced geopolymer cement bricks were found to have improved properties with regards to compressive strengths, tensile strengths, corrosion resistance and resistance to acid attack when compared to ordinary cement concrete bricks.

Keywords: Chrysotile asbestos, Geopolymer cement, Mix design, High speed mixer, Rheology

DOI: 10.24874/PES08.02B.026

Recieved:   Revised:   Accepted:   
UDC:

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