Hello colleagues,
I’m currently working on the mechanical properties of modified geopolymers based on metakaolin, incorporating carbon fibers and waste-derived aggregates (rubber and plastic). While the early-age compressive strength results are promising, I am curious about the long-term durability aspects — particularly resistance to chemical degradation, freeze-thaw cycles, and moisture absorption.
If anyone has experience or data on the long-term performance of such composites (especially using unconventional waste fillers), I would greatly appreciate your insights or references.
Thank you in advance for your contribution! – Mahmoud Hsino
Waste-derived aggregates like rubber and plastic can improve freeze-thaw resistance and reduce moisture absorption in metakaolin-based geopolymers but may slightly compromise chemical durability if bonding is poor. Optimizing mix design, aggregate treatment, and fiber inclusion is key to maintaining long-term durability.
You may find the following two papers useful for your topic:
Dear Mahmoud Hsino ,
every Geopolymer binder cannot bond organic matter because there isn’t any sharing of ions from mineral system and organic one.
Using as aggregates rubber and plastic wastes the mechanical strength depends only on the GP binder amount, because these aggregates give nothing in terms of compression. If plastic is fiber shaped could improve the flexural ability but it will remain an inert charge during all the life span of the material.
The answer of your question is dependent on the amount of recycled organic materials used and the quality and quantity of the GP binder you are using.
Hoping you are correct mixing the GP material, that is a mineral polymer system, so not following the alkali activated methods that can be used only for hydraulic systems.
Best regards
Dr. Alex Reggiani
CTO GeoMITS
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