Skip to content

Slag-Modified Metakaolin-Based 3D Printed Geopolymer (2023-11)

Mechanical Characterisation, Microstructural Properties, and Nitrogen Physisorption Pore-Analysis

10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108166

 Jaji Mustapha,  van Zijl Gideon,  Babafemi Adewumi
Journal Article - Journal of Building Engineering, No. 108166

Abstract

This study aims to enhance metakaolin (MK)-based binders with slag up to 30% at 10% intervals and increase the aggregate-to-binder ratio (a/b) from 1.6 in a previous study to 2 for extrusion-based 3D printed geopolymer concrete (3DPGPC). Sodium phosphate (3% by mass of binders) was used to tailor the fresh properties of the slag-modified MK-based 3DPGPC mixtures to achieve sufficient open time for constructability. After 28 days of curing age, cylindrical 3DPGPC specimens cored perpendicular to the printing direction (D1) exhibit an average compressive strength of 23.7–31.52 MPa and the specimens cored parallel to the printing direction (D3) exhibit an average compressive strength of 25.25–33.13 MPa. Also, an increase in a/b from 1.6 to 2 increases the average compressive strength by 18% in D1 and 25% in D3. The average flexural strength of specimens in D1 attained 5.48–7.29 MPa, while the average interlayer bond strength of 3DPGPC beam specimens attained 5.40–6.90 MPa. An increase in a/b from 1.6 to 2 enhanced average flexural strength by 6%. Furthermore, the 28-day splitting tensile strength of cored cylindrical 3DPGPC specimens attained 1.79–2.16 MPa in D1 and 2.04–2.43 MPa in D3. Microstructural characterisation revealed the formation of C-S-H, N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gel with increasing slag inclusion due to the presence of Ca2+ion. Nitrogen physisorption analysis shows that the adsorption and desorption isotherm curves and hysteresis loops were not altered but more nitrogen by volume was absorbed due to the formation of a significant quantity of C-S-H, N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gel. The adsorption and desorption isotherms fall under the mesopores structure of 2–50 nm using the IUPAC technical report classification. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area increases by 67, 69, and 78% as slag content increases by 10, 20 and 30% due to the polymerisation of the reactive phases, which densify the matrices. The enhanced mechanical performance, microstructural properties, and pore structure system of slag-modified MK-based 3DPGPC ascertained that it is suitable for construction applications.

36 References

  1. Alghamdi Hussam, Nair Sooraj, Neithalath Narayanan (2019-02)
    Insights into Material-Design, Extrusion Rheology, and Properties of 3D Printable Alkali-Activated Fly-Ash-Based Binders
  2. Alghamdi Hussam, Neithalath Narayanan (2019-07)
    Synthesis and Characterization of 3D Printable Geopolymeric Foams for Thermally Efficient Building Envelope Materials
  3. Al-Qutaifi Sarah, Nazari Ali, Bagheri Ali (2018-07)
    Mechanical Properties of Layered Geopolymer Structures Applicable in Concrete 3D Printing
  4. Amran Mugahed, Abdelgader Hakim, Onaizi Ali, Fediuk Roman et al. (2021-12)
    3D Printable Alkali-Activated Concretes for Building Applications:
    A Critical Review
  5. Bhattacherjee Shantanu, Basavaraj Anusha, Rahul Attupurathu, Santhanam Manu et al. (2021-06)
    Sustainable Materials for 3D Concrete Printing
  6. Bong Shin, Nematollahi Behzad, Nazari Ali, Xia Ming et al. (2018-09)
    Fresh and Hardened Properties of 3D Printable Geopolymer Cured in Ambient Temperature
  7. Bong Shin, Xia Ming, Nematollahi Behzad, Shi Caijun (2021-04)
    Ambient Temperature Cured ‘Just-Add-Water’ Geopolymer for 3D Concrete Printing Applications
  8. Chougan Mehdi, Ghaffar Seyed, Jahanzat Mohammad, Albar Abdulrahman et al. (2020-04)
    The Influence of Nano-Additives in Strengthening Mechanical Performance of 3D Printed Multi-Binder Geopolymer Composites
  9. Demiral Nazim, Ozkan Ekinci Mehmet, Şahin Oğuzhan, İlcan Hüseyin et al. (2022-10)
    Mechanical Anisotropy Evaluation and Bonding Properties of 3D Printable Construction and Demolition Waste-Based Geopolymer Mortars
  10. Ding Tao, Xiao Jianzhuang, Zou Shuai, Wang Yu (2020-06)
    Hardened Properties of Layered 3D Printed Concrete with Recycled Sand
  11. Guo Xiaolu, Yang Junyi, Xiong Guiyan (2020-09)
    Influence of Supplementary Cementitious Materials on Rheological Properties of 3D Printed Fly-Ash-Based Geopolymer
  12. Jaji Mustapha, Ibrahim Kamoru, Zijl Gideon, Babafemi Adewumi (2023-04)
    Thixotropic Characterisation of Slag-Modified 3D Printable Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Composite
  13. Jaji Mustapha, Kamoru A., Zijl Gideon, Babafemi Adewumi (2023-07)
    Effect of Anisotropy on Permeability Index and Water-Absorption of 3D Printed Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Concrete
  14. Jaji Mustapha, Zijl Gideon, Babafemi Adewumi (2022-09)
    Fresh Properties and Strength Evolution of Slag-Modified Fiber-Reinforced Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Composite for 3D Concrete Printing Application
  15. Jaji Mustapha, Zijl Gideon, Babafemi Adewumi (2023-08)
    Slag-Modified Fiber-Reinforced Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer for 3D Concrete Printing Application:
    Evaluating Fresh and Hardened Properties
  16. Le Thanh, Austin Simon, Lim Sungwoo, Buswell Richard et al. (2012-01)
    Hardened Properties of High-Performance Printing Concrete
  17. Li Zhijian, Wang Li, Ma Guowei (2020-01)
    Mechanical Improvement of Continuous Steel-Micro-Cable-Reinforced Geopolymer Composites for 3D Printing Subjected to Different Loading Conditions
  18. Lim Jian, Panda Biranchi, Pham Quang-Cuong (2018-05)
    Improving Flexural Characteristics of 3D Printed Geopolymer Composites with In-Process Steel-Cable-Reinforcement
  19. Long Wujian, Tao Jie-Lin, Lin Can, Gu Yucun et al. (2019-08)
    Rheology and Buildability of Sustainable Cement-Based Composites Containing Micro-Crystalline Cellulose for 3D Printing
  20. Ma Guowei, Li Zhijian, Wang Li, Bai Gang (2018-10)
    Micro-Cable-Reinforced Geopolymer Composite for Extrusion-Based 3D Printing
  21. Ma Guowei, Yan Yufei, Zhang Mo, Sanjayan Jay (2022-05)
    Effect of Steel-Slag on 3D Concrete Printing of Geopolymer with Quaternary Binders
  22. Munemo Rue, Kruger Jacques, Zijl Gideon (2023-06)
    Improving Inter-Layer Bond in 3D Printed Concrete Through Induced Thermo-Hydrokinetics
  23. Muthukrishnan Shravan, Ramakrishnan Sayanthan, Sanjayan Jay (2020-09)
    Effect of Microwave-Heating on Inter-Layer Bonding and Buildability of Geopolymer 3D Concrete Printing
  24. Nematollahi Behzad, Xia Ming, Bong Shin, Sanjayan Jay (2018-09)
    Hardened Properties of 3D Printable One-Part Geopolymer for Construction Applications
  25. Panda Biranchi, Bhagath Singh Gangapatnam, Unluer Cise, Tan Ming (2019-02)
    Synthesis and Characterization of One-Part Geopolymers for Extrusion-Based 3D Concrete Printing
  26. Panda Biranchi, Paul Suvash, Lim Jian, Tay Yi et al. (2017-08)
    Additive Manufacturing of Geopolymer for Sustainable Built Environment
  27. Panda Biranchi, Paul Suvash, Mohamed Nisar, Tay Yi et al. (2017-09)
    Measurement of Tensile Bond Strength of 3D Printed Geopolymer Mortar
  28. Panda Biranchi, Paul Suvash, Tan Ming (2017-07)
    Anisotropic Mechanical Performance of 3D Printed Fiber-Reinforced Sustainable Construction-Material
  29. Panda Biranchi, Ruan Shaoqin, Unluer Cise, Tan Ming (2020-01)
    Investigation of the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag Mixes Involving the Use of Nano-Clay and Nucleation-Seeds for 3D Printing
  30. Panda Biranchi, Tan Ming (2018-03)
    Experimental Study on Mix Proportion and Fresh Properties of Fly-Ash-Based Geopolymer for 3D Concrete Printing
  31. Panda Biranchi, Unluer Cise, Tan Ming (2018-10)
    Investigation of the Rheology and Strength of Geopolymer Mixtures for Extrusion-Based 3D Printing
  32. Panda Biranchi, Unluer Cise, Tan Ming (2019-08)
    Extrusion and Rheology Characterization of Geopolymer Nanocomposites Used in 3D Printing
  33. Paul Suvash, Basit Md, Hasan Noor, Dey Dhrutiman et al. (2023-04)
    3D Printing of Geopolymer Mortar:
    Overview of the Effect of Mix-Design and Printing Parameters on the Strength
  34. Qaidi Shaker, Yahia Ammar, Tayeh B., Unis H. et al. (2022-10)
    3D Printed Geopolymer Composites:
    A Review
  35. Yang Yekai, Wu Chengqing, Liu Zhongxian, Wang Hailiang et al. (2021-10)
    Mechanical Anisotropy of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete for 3D Printing
  36. Zhong Hui, Zhang Mingzhong (2022-02)
    3D Printing Geopolymers:
    A Review

5 Citations

  1. Hasan Md, Xu Jie, Uddin Md (2025-11)
    A Critical Review of 3D Printed Fiber-Based Geopolymer Concrete:
    Fresh Properties, Mechanical Performance, and Current Limitations
  2. Jaji Mustapha, Babafemi Adewumi, Zijl Gideon (2025-05)
    Mechanical Performance of Extrusion-Based Two-Part 3D-Printed Geopolymer Concrete:
    A Review of Advances in Laboratory and Real-Scale Construction Projects
  3. Mishra Jyotirmoy, Babafemi Adewumi, Combrinck Riaan (2025-04)
    Limitations and Research Priorities in 3D-Printed Geopolymer Concrete:
    A Perspective Contribution
  4. Baktheer Abedulgader, Claßen Martin (2024-07)
    A Review of Recent Trends and Challenges in Numerical Modeling of the Anisotropic Behavior of Hardened 3D Printed Concrete
  5. Jaji Mustapha, Zijl Gideon, Babafemi Adewumi (2024-03)
    Durability and Pore-Structure of Metakaolin-Based 3D Printed Geopolymer Concrete

BibTeX
@article{jaji_zijl_baba.2023.SMMB3PG,
  author            = "Mustapha Bamidele Jaji and Gideon Pieter Adriaan Greeff van Zijl and Adewumi John Babafemi",
  title             = "Slag-Modified Metakaolin-Based 3D Printed Geopolymer: Mechanical Characterisation, Microstructural Properties, and Nitrogen Physisorption Pore-Analysis",
  doi               = "10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108166",
  year              = "2023",
  journal           = "Journal of Building Engineering",
  pages             = "108166",
}
Formatted Citation

M. B. Jaji, G. P. A. G. van Zijl and A. J. Babafemi, “Slag-Modified Metakaolin-Based 3D Printed Geopolymer: Mechanical Characterisation, Microstructural Properties, and Nitrogen Physisorption Pore-Analysis”, Journal of Building Engineering, p. 108166, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108166.

Jaji, Mustapha Bamidele, Gideon Pieter Adriaan Greeff van Zijl, and Adewumi John Babafemi. “Slag-Modified Metakaolin-Based 3D Printed Geopolymer: Mechanical Characterisation, Microstructural Properties, and Nitrogen Physisorption Pore-Analysis”. Journal of Building Engineering, 2023, 108166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108166.