Effects of Curing Conditions on the Self-Healing of Geopolymer Paste

Geopolymers are inorganic polymers produced by the reaction of aluminosilicates and alkaline solutions show good mechanical thermal features with a huge potential for use in construction industry. Furthermore, geopolymers self-healing properties can considerably decrease repair or maintenance costs support economic environmental sustainability. This study aimed to observe capability sodium silicate-containing agents geopolymer pastes. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) epoxy resin were used encapsulate silicate. The prepared healing agent was introduced into fly ash metakaolin-based samples. After curing 28 days under room conditions, samples subjected compressive loading introduce cracks. cracked stored three conditions: at 60°C 100% relative humidity (RH), temperature RH, water. various durations, optical images captured using light microscope determine closure X-ray diffraction (XRD) Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) identify products. Additionally, change strength as an indicator self-healing. results showed that silicate could heal cracks narrow widths (<15μm) all conditions supported recovery. XRD FT-IR indicated main materials aluminosilicate phases.