Liquid glass or geopolymer - a colloidal aqueous solution of silicate K or Na of variable composition. Structurization in the LG includes the steps:

1. polymerization of the monomer with formation of colloidal particles based on the ion-octamer;

2. The growth of spherical colloidal particles due to deposition of ion-monomers on their negatively charged surface;

3. Binding of colloidal particles first to branched chains, then into grids that propagate to the entire liquid medium and compact it into a gel.

Characteristics of the chemical composition of the sodium (soda) LG include the mass fractions (%) of SiO2, Na2O, the silicate module M, the water content of W.

Most often in the foundry is used LG with the module 2,2-2,8 in the summer period, due to the decrease in the survivability of the mixture, the module is reduced to a value of 1.6-1.7 by the addition of a 40% aqueous solution of NaOH.

For prepare geopolymer hardener component use the interaction of CO2 or solid reagents such as dicalcium silicates.

The consumption of CO2 is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm3 per 1 cm3. Description LG in a mixture of 5 to 7% of the mass of sand. Hurdener time of LG mixtures with hardeners 40-60 min.

Dear Vivek,

to produce a good hardener for geopolymers you must use autoclave then you will obtain stable silicate and you will able to store without problems or sedimentation.

Come to geopolymer Camp next July if you want to learn more about this technology directly from Prof. Davidovits, the father of geopolymer science.

Don’t confuse with alkali activation that is completely different process, without any polymerization and really less stable and durable.

Thanks to use the correct terminology , nothing has to be activated in geopolymer.

Kind regards

Alex Reggiani