Physico-Mechanical Properties of Geopolymer Based on Laterite Deposit Sidrap, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Abstract Laterite soil deposit Sidrap, South Sulawesi, has been used as a raw material in the production of Na-Poly (sialate-siloxo) geopolymers. The main objective of this study is to investigate the physicomechanical properties of the resulting geopolymers synthesized from laterite Sidrap. Geopolymers were produced through the alkali-activation method of dehydroxylated laterite. Dehydroxylation was performed by using high-temperature furnace at 750°C for 4 hours. The resulting geopolymers were characterized based on X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to examine their mineralogy and microstructure properties. The physicomechanical properties of geopolymer were examined through compressive and flexural strength. It was found that geopolymer based on Sidrap laterite exhibited good and high mechanical strength which make them suitable for various structural applications.