High quality geopolymer concrete by using binder nano metakaolin

Abstract Iraqi Metakaolin was used to produce geopolymer mortar and concrete with high specifications. To convert Kaolin to Metakaolin, the De-hydroxylation process was carried out by burning Kaolin at 700°C. Metakaolin was crushed and ground by a ball mill to obtain the Metakaolin at the nanoscale. The large specific surface area of total nanoparticles gives unique properties during their interaction with an alkali-activated solution to form the geopolymer. Nano metakaolin geopolymer mortar mixtures were manufactured entirely according to specification ASTM C109/C109M-16a with different concentrations of alkaline solution (8 - 10 - 12 – 14) molarity. Through mortar test, it was noted the best result of geopolymer at 12 molarity, gives the advantage of dissolving alumina and silica nanoparticles to forming a geopolymer with high specifications. The highest rate of compressive strength of geopolymer mortar is 73 MPa. But in the geopolymer concrete mix with other nanomaterials replaced as a percentage by weight of the nano metakaolin binder, where incorporated (3%) nano-glass blended with (0.01%) carbon nanotube to observe the superior compressive strength reached 74.7 MPa. The effect of freezing and thawing has been, and no effect on compressive strength. During the water absorption test, observed that the absorbance is close to 1.7 %. The main benefit of the total binder nano metakaolin geopolymer is no heat treatment is used for the polymerization process and obtaining high specifications due to the effectiveness and high pozzolan effect of nanomaterials leads to improving compressive strength and other durability properties.