Valorization of brick waste by alkali-activation: A study on the possible use for masonry repointing

Alkali-activation of brick waste has recently been proposed as a sustainable route to develop pastes/mortars with tailored mechanical properties and pore system. In this study, the suitability of using pastes from brick waste alkali-activation for repointing existing masonries (i.e., filling the most external part of mortar joints, lost due to deterioration processes) was investigated. Five different formulations (having SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio ranging from 1.4 to 0.4) and two different curing temperatures (room temperature and 50 °C) were investigated. Open porosity and efflorescence formation were found to decrease for decreasing SiO2/Al2O3 ratio. Curing at high temperature generally favored geopolymerization and reduced efflorescence formation. Pastes with SiO2/Al2O3=0.8 and 0.9 exhibited open porosity and water vapor permeability fairly similar to those of historic lime-based mortars, thus proving to be potentially compatible with them. Further optimization of the mix design seems however necessary to reduce the formation of efflorescence.