Influence of Activators on the Dynamic Energy Properties of Fly Ash–Based and Slag-Based Geopolymer Composites

Abstract

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate–activated fly ash and slag-based geopolymer composite (NSFSGC) and NaOH and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)-activated fly ash–based and slag-based GC (NNFSGC) were prepared and their dynamic energy properties were studied comparatively. The results indicate that the specific energy absorption (SEA) of GC increases with strain rate, and the damage degree is greater with the increase of SEA. When loaded with the same strain rate, the SEA of NNFSGC is always greater than that of NSFSGC. The general change law of the SEA of NSFSGC and NNFSGC with strain rate separately fits a linear and a quadratic polynomial relationship; further, the increase rate of the SEA of NNFSGC goes up with the increase of the strain rate and is higher than that of NSFSGC. Thus, NN activators are better at activating the dynamic energy property of GC. Therefore, GC prepared with NaOH and Na2CO3 shows promise for application in antiexplosion engineering.