Effect of mechanical activation of fly ash on the properties of geopolymer cured at ambient temperature

The effect of the mechanical activation of fly ash on the properties of the geopolymers cured at ambient temperature has been studied. Mechanical activation of the fly ash results in particle size and morphology changes with concomitant increase in reactivity with alkaline liquid. Addition of free water in the reaction mix decreases mechanical properties of the geopolymer samples. After 28 days, compressive strength of the room temperature cured samples was 16 (2) MPa and 45 (8) MPa for unmilled and mechanically activated fly ash based samples, respectively.