Every year, we invite you to join the Geopolymer Institute for the largest, most comprehensive international conference devoted to Geopolymer technologies, the 11th GeopolymerCamp 2019, at the University of Picardie, Campus of Saint-Quentin, North of Paris, France, on July 8-10, 2019.

Please, take a look at the GEOPOLYMER CAMP web page to register:
GeopolymerCamp Main Page (click on the link)
(or in French at GeopolymerCamp Page Principale )

Last year, we had a big Geopolymer Camp. 2/3 of the participants were professionals from the industry and business pioneers, 1/3 were academics. This event is now the best to create your network.

We have opened the registration by now in February and early birds have already signed up.

We have a limited number of seats (fewer than 95), so I strongly suggest you do not wait too long to join us. Chances are that, by the end of May, there will be few seats left.

We want to keep this event small in size but big in quality (good knowledge shared and interesting people to meet), as most of you already know, in order to emulate sharing, discussions, meetings, so every participant shall have a satisfying event.

As always, we keep the registration fees to a minimum of 70 Euro (approx. 75 US $) for advance payment, just to cover the costs for organization, lunches, coffee and the like, etc.

FOR NEWCOMERS: If you are new to the world of geopolymers and you don’t know how to begin, what raw materials to select, how to manufacture geopolymers, what are the good practices, and looking for a good understanding of this chemistry, the Geopolymer Institute organizes a Tutorial / Workshop (a short course) for beginners at a very low cost on the first day, Monday, which takes place before the beginning of the Geopolymer Camp. It is aimed at providing a dedicated introduction to geopolymer technology and is illustrated with appropriate laboratory demonstrations. Participants will learn how to make 3 standard recipes for ceramic like application and for cement like use. You will be given the exact step by step recipes, the list of raw materials and chemical ingredients with the name of their suppliers. After this workshop, you will be ready to start.

Tutorial fees: 360 Euro (approx. 380 US $) for advanced payment. See the program at the GeopolymerCamp web page:
GeopolymerCamp Main Page (click on the link)

I am inviting you to participate and to share the spirit of these events and hope to see you in Saint-Quentin for the GeopolymerCamp with Tutorial for Newcomers.

Prof. Joseph DAVIDOVITS

Sponsors:

Geosil^®: Silicate binders and hardeners for geopolymeric systems

The Geosil^® product line are the first aqueous silicate solutions specifically designed for geopolymerization. In addition, Woellner supplies a wide range of additives to help you achieve your desired properties.

Pyromeral Systems: High-temperature resistant composites

Pyromeral Systems develops and manufactures advanced materials and composite parts for applications requiring resistance to high temperatures or fire barrier. Our unique technologies based on innovative geopolymers are designed for continuous exposure to temperatures as high as 1000°C. They provide convenient, lightweight and durable solutions for industrial processes, motorsports and aerospace applications. Pyromeral Systems brings a smart alternative when conventional composites, metals or ceramics fail to deliver the desired performance.

Special topics of interest:
– Focused Session on Nano materials and geopolymers, on Tuesday afternoon.
– Tutorial Workshop (short courses) for Newcomers, on Monday;

Every year, we invite you to join the Geopolymer Institute for the largest, most comprehensive international conference devoted to Geopolymer technologies, the 10th GeopolymerCamp 2018, at the University of Picardie, Campus of Saint-Quentin, North of Paris, France, on July 9-11, 2018.

Please, take a look at the GEOPOLYMER CAMP 2018 web page to register:
Geopolymer-Camp-2018-Registration (click on the link)
(or in French at Geopolymer-Camp-2018-Inscription )

Last year, we had a big Geopolymer Camp. 2/3 of the participants were professionals from the industry and business pioneers, 1/3 were academics. This event is now the best to create your network.

We have opened the registration by now in February and early birds have already signed up.

We have a limited number of seats (fewer than 95), so I strongly suggest you do not wait too long to join us. Chances are that, by the end of May, there will be few seats left.

We want to keep this event small in size but big in quality (good knowledge shared and interesting people to meet), as most of you already know, in order to emulate sharing, discussions, meetings, so every participant shall have a satisfying event.

As always, we keep the registration fees to a minimum of 55 Euro (approx. 60 US $) for advance payment, just to cover the costs for organization, lunches, coffee and the like, etc.

FOR NEWCOMERS: If you are new to the world of geopolymers and you don’t know how to begin, what raw materials to select, how to manufacture geopolymers, what are the good practices, and looking for a good understanding of this chemistry, the Geopolymer Institute organizes a Tutorial / Workshop (a short course) for beginners at a very low cost on the first day, Monday, which takes place before the beginning of the Geopolymer Camp. You will learn the best knowledge to work immediately and receive two authentic geopolymer formula (one ceramic binder, and one room temperature hardening cement) with the procedure explained step by step, with all the references to their raw materials and the names of their suppliers ! After this workshop, you will be ready to start.

Note that depending on the number of people signing up, we may organize a second session on Thursday, July 12th.

Tutorial fees: 360 Euro (approx. 390 US $) for advanced payment. See the program at the Geopolymer Camp web page:
Geopolymer-Camp-2018-Registration (click on the link)

I am inviting you to participate and to share the spirit of these events and hope to see you in Saint-Quentin for the 10th GeopolymerCamp 2018, with Tutorial for Newcomers.

Prof. Joseph DAVIDOVITS

Sponsors:

Geosil^®: Silicate binders and hardeners for geopolymeric systems

The Geosil^® product line are the first aqueous silicate solutions specifically designed for geopolymerization. In addition, Woellner supplies a wide range of additives to help you achieve your desired properties.

Pyromeral Systems: High-temperature resistant composites 

Pyromeral Systems develops and manufactures advanced materials and composite parts for applications requiring resistance to high temperatures or fire barrier. Our unique technologies based on innovative geopolymers are designed for continuous exposure to temperatures as high as 1000°C. They provide convenient, lightweight and durable solutions for industrial processes, motorsports and aerospace applications. Pyromeral Systems brings a smart alternative when conventional composites, metals or ceramics fail to deliver the desired performance.

Special topics of interest:
– Tutorial Workshop (short courses) for Newcomers, on Monday;
– Focused Session on Reinforced Geopolymer Composites, on Tuesday afternoon.

Every year, we invite you to join the Geopolymer Institute for the largest, most comprehensive international conference devoted to Geopolymer technologies, the 9th GeopolymerCamp 2017, at the University of Picardie, Campus of Saint-Quentin, North of Paris, France, on July 10-12, 2017.

Please, take a look at the GEOPOLYMER CAMP 2017 web page to register:
Geopolymer-Camp-2017-Registration (click on the link)
(or in French at Geopolymer-Camp-2017-Inscription )

Last year, we had a big Geopolymer Camp. 2/3 of the participants were professionals from the industry and business pioneers, 1/3 were academics. This event is now the best to create your network.

We have opened the registration by now in February and early birds have already signed up.

We have a limited number of seats (fewer than 90), so I strongly suggest you do not wait too long to join us. Chances are that, by the end of May, there will be few seats left.

We want to keep this event small in size but big in quality (good knowledge shared and interesting people to meet), as most of you already know, in order to emulate sharing, discussions, meetings, so every participant shall have a satisfying event.

As always, we keep the registration fees to a minimum of 55 Euro (approx. 60 US $) for advance payment, just to cover the costs for organization, lunches, coffee and the like, etc.

FOR NEWCOMERS: If you are new to the world of geopolymers and you don’t know how to begin, what raw materials to select, how to manufacture geopolymers, what are the good practices, and looking for a good understanding of this chemistry, the Geopolymer Institute organizes a Tutorial / Workshop (a short course) for beginners at a very low cost on the first day, Monday, which takes place before the beginning of the Geopolymer Camp. You will learn the best knowledge to work immediately and receive two authentic geopolymer formula (one ceramic binder, and one room temperature hardening cement) with the procedure explained step by step, with all the references to their raw materials and the names of their suppliers ! After this workshop, you will be ready to start.

Note that depending on the number of people signing up, we may organize a second session on Thursday, July 13th.

Tutorial fees: 360 Euro (approx. 390 US $) for advanced payment. See the program at the Geopolymer Camp web page:
Geopolymer-Camp-2017-Registration (click on the link)

I am inviting you to participate and to share the spirit of these events and hope to see you in Saint-Quentin for the 9th GeopolymerCamp 2017, with Tutorial for Newcomers.

Prof. Joseph DAVIDOVITS

The Virtual Journal on Geopolymer Science is a collection of already published research papers, curated by us, all relating to geopolymers. We intend to publish at least four issues per year, each issue being dedicated to a special theme. This critical review is the follow-up of the first issue, a feature article titled Environmental implications of Geopolymers, online on 29 June 2015. It has been written in compliance with a decision of Elsevier and Geopolymer Institute to join forces, distill and distribute the best research publications contained in their combined archives, through a series of Elsevier-Geopolymer Institute Virtual Special Issues on Geopolymer Science.

Much of the original research into geopolymers was conducted on calcined kaolinitic clay precursors known under the generic term of metakaolin. Although metakaolin reacts in alkaline as well as in acidic medium, the present issue focusses exclusively on the alkaline route on natural and synthetic metakaolin.

Course director

All the courses will be directed by Professor Joseph Davidovits, the inventor and founder of Geopolymer.

Who should attend?

The courses are for professionals with a solid chemical background (engineer degrees, master degrees) or with equivalent long-term practice.
Some courses (Geopolymer for Newcomers, Geopolymer for Investors, …) are designed for professionals involved for a wide range of development in all applications including managers, finance specialists, R&D, marketing, business decision makers, technology and product development, …

Language is English ( langue française sur demande pour 2 participants ou plus ). Each course is designed for a maximum of 10 participants in order to encourage fruitful discussions between Prof. Joseph Davidovits and the students.

Courses Schedule for 2008-2009

We are providing below the list of the courses for the year 2008 (April-December) and 2009 (January-March).

Geopolymer Course # 1: Geopolymer for Newcomers (3 days)
April 01-03, May 13-15, August 05-08, September 02-04 (in French), October 22-24 (in French), December 09-11, February 10-12, March 10-12

Geopolymer Course # 2: Metakaolin based Geopolymer Ceramics (3 days)
April 08-10, October 21-24, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 3-4: Low-energy / Low-CO₂ Cement : Slag/rock/fly ash-based Geopolymer (4 days)
April 15-17, other dates on demand,

Geopolymer Course # 5: Quality Controls, Physical and Chemical Properties (3 days)
April 28-30, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 6: Low-Energy Geopolymer Technology applied to Ceramic Industry (3 days)
May 20-22, September 09-11,

Geopolymer Course # 7: Castable Geopolymer Compounds (molds, prototypes, artifacts) (2 days)
May 27-28, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 8: Fire Resistant Geopolymer Matrix Composites (2 days)
May 29-30, Other dates on demand 

Geopolymer Course # 9: Geopolymers in Toxic and Radioactive Waste Management (3 days)
June 03-05, September 23-25, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 10: Geopolymer for Investors (2 days)
May 06-07, Other dates on demand

All courses are organized in learning / teaching sessions that allow to attend several courses in a row. So, you can attend a series of course that belong to the same topics.

Click here for the entire Courses Program

Sessions for 2008-2009

Sessions A to C

Sessions D to F

Sessions G to I

Tuition per one participant:

It includes luncheons, breaks, book and course notes;
4-day course: 1950 Euros; group rate 1800 Euros (+ tax if any)
3-day course: 1650 Euros; group rate 1500 Euros (+ tax if any)
2-day course: 1150 Euros; group rate 1050 Euros (+ tax if any)

Course location

The courses are held at the Geopolymer Institute. Please read the following pages to prepare your stay: Access Map and Prepare your stay

Client Site. You can ask for a short course at your site and at your convenience. 2 persons from the Geopolymer Institute will come (likely Prof. J. Davidovits with another person). You will have to pay for travel expenses, lodging and the tuition for a min. of 4 enrollments. For further information, please contact us.

Text

Each participant will receive for the course the most updated version of the book GEOPOLYMER Chemistry and Applications by J. Davidovits, and additional Technical Papers.

Please, go to the next page for the registration form.

Registration form

Before filling in the registration form, find the date and the course’s title you want to attend, and note its reference on the sessions’ table above. It corresponds to the session and the topic of the course. So, if we change the date (e.g. from one or two days to group several courses in a row), we will not change the reference of the course.
Then, print it, fill it in, and fax or mail it. All information about the payments and general information can be found there.

We are open to any arrangements for groups, especially from overseas, who would like to participate to two or more courses in a row, for example Wednesday-Friday and Monday-Wednesday, with a free weekend time in Paris. Because we accept few participants, we are very flexible. Do not hesitate to contact us.

How to register ?

Download the registration form in PDF format.

First, download the registration form in PDF format to read all information about your tuition and methods of payment. Then, you can either fill in this form, or do it online with the form below.

All the courses will be directed by Professor Joseph Davidovits, the inventor and founder of Geopolymer. They are for professionals with a solid chemical background (engineer degrees, master degrees) or with equivalent long-term practice. Language is English (langue française sur demande pour 2 participants ou plus). Each course is designed for a maximum of 5 participants in order to encourage fruitful discussions between Prof. Joseph Davidovits and the students.

Tuition per one participant: includes luncheons, breaks, book and course notes; + VAT
3-day course: 1650 Euros; group rate 1500 Euros
2-day course: 1150 Euros; group rate 1050 Euros

Venue
Location the Geopolymer Institute place:
Access Map

The texts for the course included in the fee are the new book GEOPOLYMER Chemistry and Applications by J. Davidovits, and additional Technical Papers.

To get the list of the courses for the year 2008 (April-December) and registration details go to Courses Schedule

The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.), USA, has recently initiated a research program to develop low-cost, environmentally-friendly, fire resistant matrix materials for use in aircraft composites and cabin interior applications. The flammability requirement for new materials is that they withstand a 50 kW/m² incident heat flux characteristic of a fully developed aviation fuel fire penetrating a cabin opening, without propagating the fire into the cabin compartment. The goal of the program is to eliminate cabin fire as cause of death in aircraft accidents. However, voluntary adoption of the new materials technology by aircraft and cabin manufacturers requires that it be cost effective to install and use, so it is expected that these new aircraft materials will be broadly applicable in transportation and infrastructure where a high degree of intrinsic fine resistance is needed at low to moderate cost. To this end the F.A.A. is evaluating a new, low-cost, inorganic geopolymer matrix derived from the naturally occurring geological materials- silica and alumina. At irradiance levels of 50 kW/m² typical of the heat flux in a well developed fire, glass- or carbon-reinforced polyester, vinylester, epoxy, bismaleinide, cyanate ester, polyimide. phenolic, and engineering thermoplastic laminates ignited readily and released appreciable heat and smoke, while carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites did not ignite, burn, or release any smoke even after extended heat esposure.

In the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications the fire and heat resistant composite applications are thoroughly outlined in Chapter 21. You may also go to the Geopolymer Library and download several papers..

Excerpt from the technical press
Performance Materials,
February 5, 1996, page 5.

As Hot as You Like It

Mechanical Properties are Looking Good for French Inorganic Polymer that Doesn’t Burn.

Fire safety is a concern often voiced by those who are skeptical about the use of composite materials in the infrastructure. These fears may be put to rest by a revolutionary European matrix material that doesn’t burn at all (PM, July 31, 1995). “Fire is going to be the limiting criterion in a lot of infrastructure applications C says Rich Lyon of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Tech Center in Atlantic City. But his ICCI ‘96 presentation about the new family of inorganic polymer composites was almost anticlimactic. “It’s a fairly boring story because there is no fire response,” Lyon said in Tucson.

FAA Is Interested, Too

The inorganic polymeric materials are cheap, at about $2-3 a pound. They cure at low temperatures.
And now there is evidence that the new material family, trade named Geopolymer (or, more precisely, Géopolymère), boasts mechanical properties comparable to those of organic-matrix composites. FAA-supported testing was conducted at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
“The initial results are very encouraging: Prof. P (Bala) Balaguru of Rutgers said at the Tucson infrastructure meeting. Carbon-matrix composites made with the Geopolymer matrix demonstrated a strength of approximately 327 MPa (about 225 ksi), he said, quite comparable to organic composites. “The same thing is true for flex and shear;’ Balaguru said. The Rutgers test coupons were made using 3K, polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber that was manually impregnated and vacuum-bagged for curing in an 80°C (176°F) heated press. The samples were post-cured in an 80°C oven for 24 hours.
Experimenters have thus far made samples only via hand layup, and have been able to achieve fiber loadings of only 50 % (the Rutgers tests were conducted on 45-percent material). At least 60 % is expected when fabrication processes are refined, says the FAA’s Lyon. Problems with voids are also expected to be solved when better fabrication techniques are applied.
“These materials are in their infancy) FAA Lyon says. Geopolymer inventor Joseph Davidovits spent much of his career as a textile chemist and began pursuing inorganic polymers in part, he says, behind a tragedy in France in which the deaths by fire of more than 100 young night club patrons were attributed to fast-burning polyester curtains. Davidovits cites three key Geopolymer attributes his company says “make them superior to ceramics, plastics, and organic composite materials:” (Performance Materials, February 5, 1996).

The First Non-flammable fabric laminate for Aircraft cabin and cargo interiors, Géopolymère Composite was introduced on November 18, 1998, in Atlantic City, NJ, USA, at the International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration. More details in Press Release (see page 3)

Predicted time to flashover in ISO 9705 corner/room fire test with various structural composites as wall materials

Press Release, November 20, 1998
The First Non-Flammable Material for Aircraft Cabin Safety presented at FAA.

Fire Safety Meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

The First Non-flammable fabric laminate for Aircraft cabin and cargo interiors, Géopolymère Composite was introduced on November 18, 1998, in Atlantic City, NJ, USA, at the International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Current aircraft design utilizes several tons of combustible plastics for cabin interior components that includes the passenger compartment, cockpit and cargo compartments. This is a fire load comparable to the equivalent weight of aviation fuel. The recent introduction of fly-by-wire control system as well as the increase of electronics components on an aircraft (such as flat panel displays for TV, telephones and computers) represents a new, higher risk of electrical fires and the potentially tragic consequences of uncontained in-flight fires. The FAA is working to eliminate cabin fire as a cause of death in aircraft accidents. In the unusual event of an aircraft accident, there are only seconds for passengers to escape before toxic fumes and fire fill the cabin compartment.

The FAA flammability requirement for new materials is that they must withstand the 50-kw/m² incident heat flux characteristic of a fully developed aviation fuel fire that penetrates the cabin skin. The material must prevent propagation of the fire into the cabin compartment. The first material to withstand this arduous test is Géopolymère Composite developed by Professor Joseph Davidovits of the Geopolymer Institute in France. Géopolymère Composite is described as an inorganic polymer (a silico-aluminate polysialate polymer) derived from the naturally non-flammable occurring geological materials silica and alumina, hence the name Geopolymer or Géopolymère in French.

Since January 1994, the Federal Aviation Administration has conducted a research and evaluation program on carbon fiber reinforced Géopolymère Composite. Tests were carried out at the FAA Fire Research Section, FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City, NJ and at the Department of Civil Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in collaboration with Prof. Davidovits’ French company, CORDI-Géopolymère SA, Saint-Quentin, France. The FAA experiments indicate that even after exposure to a severe fire environment (more than 1,500°F during several hours), the carbon fiber reinforced Géopolymère Composite retained 63 % of its original flexural strength of 245 Mpa (approximately 169 ksi). In comparison, all materials presently used in an aircraft, including aluminum sheets and parts, organic based laminate composites and plastics, actually burn and are destroyed when submitted to the same severe fire environment.
Aircraft operators and manufacturers are sensitive to cost and cost-effectiveness. Aircraft operators estimate that each pound of weight on a commercial aircraft costs between $100 to $300 in operating expenses over the service life of the aircraft. Consequently, fire safe materials for use in aircraft must be extremely lightweight. With its low density of 1.85, carbon fiber reinforced Géopolymère Composite is lighter than aluminum (density 2.70) and structural steel (density 7.86).

After drying has occurred, the volume occupied by the water molecules is empty. This results in a matrix full of micro-voids. I guess you understand that strength is directly correlated with the voids content. Yet this property is also very interesting in terms of freeze-thaw properties and thermal shock. Microvoids and microchannels are very useful to prevent any damage caused by absorbed freezing water.

However, to manufacture fiber reinforced composites, the impregnation of fibers requires very low viscosity. We achieve this very low viscosity by decreasing the ration 1:12 to 1:15 or 1:20.

But because we still want to achieve high mechanical strength, the impregnated fabric is vacuumed at ambient temperature, to evaporate the excess of water.

The US patent you are referring to is dealing with the method of production of M-PSDS geopolymer. If you go back to the earlier patents which dealt with the processing of M-PS or M-PSS geopolymer, you will learn that geopolymerisation occurs even with concentrations of solids that are lower than 60%.

Prof. Joseph Davidovits

Technical Data Sheet for Geopolymeric cement type (Potassium, Calcium) – Poly(sialate-siloxo) / (K,Ca) – (Si-O-Al-O-Si-O-), Si:Al=2:1

Further details in Davidovits’ book, GEOPOLYMER Chemistry & Applications, Part III, Properties, Chapters 15 to 18, GEOCISTEM , GLOBAL WARMING, and also previous papers in the Geopolymer Library.

Tested on standard sand mortar prisms:

• setting: 10 hours at -20°C to 7-60 minutes at +20°C.
• shrinkage during setting: <0,05%, not measurable.
• compressive strength (uniaxial): > 90 MPa at 28 days (for high early strength formulation, 20 MPa after 4 hours).
• flexural strength: 10-15 MPa at 28 days (for high early strength 10 MPa after 24 hours).
• Young Modulus: > 2 GPa.
• freeze-thaw: mass loss < 0,1% (ASTM 4842), strength loss < 5% after 180 cycles.
• wet-dry: mass loss < 0,1% (ASTM 4843).
• pH: crushed and powdered, 11-11,5 after 5 minutes in deionized water (compared to Portland cement: 12 to 12,5, and granite: 11).
• leaching in water, after 180 days: K₂O < 0,015%.
• water absorption: < 3%, not related to permeability.
• hydraulic permeability: 10-10 m/s.
• Sulfuric acid, 10%: mass loss 0,1% per day.
• chlorhydric acid 5%: mass loss 1% per day.
• KOH 50%: mass loss 0,02% per day.
• ammoniac solution: no mass loss.
• sulfate solution: shrinkage 0,02% at 28 days.
• alkali-aggregate reaction: no expansion after 250 days, -0,01% (compared to Portland Cement with 1% Na₂O, +1,5%).
• linear expansion: < 5.10-6/K.
• heat conductivity: 0,2 to 0,4 W/Km.
• specific heat: 0,7 to 1,0 kJ/kg.
• electrical conductivity: strongly dependent on humidity.
• thermal stability:
  • mass loss < 5% up to 1000°C.
  • strength loss < 20% at 600°C, < 60% at 1000°C

Other values:

• D.T.A.: endothermic at 250°C (zeolitic water).
• MAS-NMR spectroscopy:
  • 29Si: SiQ₄, major resonance at -94,5 ± 3ppm.
  • 27Al: AlQ(4Si), major narrow resonance at 55 ± 3ppm.
• Energy consumption: SEC for cement 1230-1310 MJ/tonne (compared to Portland clinker 3500 MJ/tonne).
• CO₂ emission during manufacture: 0,180 t/tonne of cement (compared to Portland clinker 1,0 t/tonne).

Prof. Joseph Davidovits presents the road map for the next couple of years on geopolymer science innovation and research, at the 2^nd International Congress on Ceramics, Verona, Italy, July 4th, 2008.

There is a great need for innovation and therefore further research must be carried out. We have listed below the topics that deserve further involvement in the field of chemistry, physical-chemistry, materials science, and others. These needs are outlined in Davidovits’ book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications, generally at the end of the chapter dedicated to the topic, and are given in the list.

We hope that this initiative will minimize the number of scientific papers and conference communications that are simply re-inventing the wheel, i.e. replicate studies and research already performed by others, sometimes several decades ago, and outlined in the reference book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications.

The GeopolymerCamp is the opportunity to prepare the new edition of the book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications. Indeed, the Geopolymer Institute wishes to publish every year a new revised edition with the most up to date information. During this session, participants will propose subjects or issues that are worthwhile to be edited or added, and the assembly will discuss about it. Prepare your arguments if you want to see your last research, data, applications be added to this reference book.

Research topics:

Chapter 2: Polymeric character of geopolymers: geopolymeric micelle
“Further research is needed to provide scientific tools for the determination of several physical parameters such as overall dimension and molecular weight.”

Let physicochemical research institutions confirm covalent bonding system. Determine the molecular weight of the geopolymer micelle, a nanosized particulate detected by W. Kriven in 2003.

Chapter 5: Poly(siloxonate), soluble silicate (waterglass)
“The standard industrial silicates are mixtures of several silicate species (…) Any changes in the industrial fabrication parameters will strongly affect the nominal mixture composition and the geopolymeric properties of the soluble silicates obtained with these glasses (…) Nevertheless, researchers in geopolymer science should always keep in mind these data when developing tailored industrial geopolymer applications (…) Further research on this important topic will probably provide additional 3-D structures connected with the solid rings and polygons disclosed in Figure 5.9. (…) Further research is needed on this crucial technology.”

Let modify and master the manufacture process in order to get uniformity and quality control on the molecular sizes of Na-poly(siloxonate), K-poly(siloxonate) (soluble silicate).

Chapter 8: Metakaolin MK-750-based geopolymer
“In general, (Na,K)–poly(sialate-siloxo) is not made of single polymeric macromolecules but consists of a mixture, a solid solution, of at least two well defined geopolymers with different Si:Al ratios. The standardized methods of investigation, like ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy, are not sophisticated enough for the detection and separation of these different macromolecules. Future research is necessary. (…) The identification of Al-O-Al bonding in geopolymers has been confirmed by ¹⁷O MAS-NMR spectroscopy as the one displayed in Figure 8.24… The effect seems to diminish with the increase of the Si:Al ratio, when oligo-siloxonate molecules, Q₀ , Q₁ and Q₂ types are added to the geopolymeric reactant mixture. Further research is needed.”

Chapter 9: Calcium-based geopolymer
“There is production of two geopolymers: hydrated gehlenite and (Na,K)–poly(sialate-siloxo), and in addition calcium di-siloxonate hydrate (CSH cement type). Further research is needed on this very interesting topic of ancient Roman technology. (…) We could also assume that, in the hydrated state, our geopolymeric structures are more flexible than the rigid anhydrous chains. Their molecular arrangement might comply with the replacement of K⁺ with Ca⁺⁺. Further research is needed to clarify this important issue.”

Chapter 10: Rock-based geopolymer
“The extrapolation from the solid solution structures set forth in Chapter 9 would probably focus on the Ca-siloxonate-hydrate, and its resonance at -78 ppm for Q₁ structure in the ²⁹Si spectrum of Figure 10.5. However, in addition to the dimer Ca-di-siloxonate hydrate molecule, one could get higher oligomers: trimer, tetramer, pentamer, hexamer, with cyclic structures similar to those depicted for soluble silicates in Figure 5.13 of Chapter 5 as well as in Figure 2.8 of Chapter 2. Further research is needed.”

Chapter 11: Silica-based geopolymer
“The geopolymer composite has a high potential for fire-heat resistant coatings as well as corrosion resistant paint for steel. With tailored ceramic fillers one obtains heat stable materials with remarkable heat resistance. Further research is needed. (…) These results highlight the need for caution during the use and disposal of these manufactured nanomaterials to prevent unintended environmental impacts, as well as the importance of further research on tailored formulations aimed at preventing any risk.”

Chapter 12: Fly ash-based geopolymer
“Overall, the geopolymer matrix gives a Si:Al molar ratio ranging from 1.56–2.14 corresponding to a poly(sialate-siloxo) with inclusions of siloxonate-hydrate molecules consisting of higher oligomers: trimer, tetramer, pentamer, hexamer, with cyclic structures similar to those depicted for soluble silicates in Figure 5.13 of Chapter 5 as well as in Figure 2.8 of Chapter 2. Further research is needed. (…) Gasifier slag consists of four main components: silica, alumina, iron oxide and calcium oxide, mainly added as a flux in the gasification process. The gasifier slag composition is similar to that of iron blast-furnace slag (Sullivan and Hill, 2001). In other words, a possible shortage of iron blast-furnace slag would be easily compensated by the production of gasifier slag, opening new perspectives for the industrial implementation of geopolymers issuing from coal combustion in electrical power plants. Further research is needed.”

Chapter 13: Phosphate-based geopolymer
“Several laboratories are working on the inclusion of PO₄ units into sialate and sialate-siloxo sequences. Data have not been published, so far. Further research is needed on these materials that show promising potential applications.”

Chapter 14: Organic-mineral geopolymer
“Further research is needed in order to take advantage of the chemical compatibility of poly-organo-siloxane and mineral geopolymers. (…) Further research is needed on the geopolymerization mechanism in acid medium. (…) The previous examples show the potentiality of organo-mineral geopolymer compounds. Further research is needed.”

Chapter 17: Long-term durability
“As for technological applications of geopolymeric materials in waste management, any risk assessment must contain input from geological and geochemical analogues. The problem is the very low amount of available data on this topic. Further research is needed.

Chapter 21: Geopolymer-fiber composites
“In this Chapter, the best results involved the use of carbon or SiC fibers that are more expensive than E-glass. Future research will therefore take advantage of the geopolymeric systems outlined in Chapter 13 with phosphate based acidic matrix. This chemistry is not as aggressive to E-glass as the alkali driven poly(sialate) medium.”

The introduction of composites on a large scale in aircraft manufacture by Boeing and Airbus highlights the demand for fire- as well as heat-resistant geopolymer matrices.

Chapter 23: Geopolymer in ceramic processing
Introduce and develop LTGS for the production of low-cost building materials in developing countries with user-friendly geopolymeric ingredients.

Chapter 24: The manufacture of geopolymer cements
“We have learned in Chapter 19 that these dry mixes based on dry NaOH/KOH are corrosive in nature and may not be used (see in section 19.2, The need for user-friendly systems ). Research and development should therefore focus on innovative solutions involving the manufacture of ready to use, user-friendly, geopolymeric precursors. (…) Further research and development is needed on this very important technology.”

The major obstacle to the mass application of geopolymer cements comes from the chemical industry that is unable to manufacture the estimated 250-300 millions tonnes / year of alkali-silicates poly(siloxonates) needed for mass production of geopolymer cements, world-wide (presently ca. 15 millions tonnes / year). One must invent new methods of manufacture for poly(siloxonate) glasses, from geological raw-materials rich in K₂O and Na₂O, as in the European Research project GEOCISTEM (Brite-Euram 1994-1997).

Chapter 25: Geopolymer concrete
“When one adds together the properties described in this Chapter 25, and the chemical and physical parameters of geopolymer cements outlined in previous chapters, it becomes evident that geopolymer concrete is better than Portland cement concrete. Yet, further research is needed to apply and generalize to all geopolymer concrete types the results obtained by B.V. Rangan and his team.”

Invited Paper, Geopolymer 2002 International Conference, October 28-29, Melbourne, Australia

The presentation included 30 slides describing following geopolymer applications developed since 1972 in France, Europe and USA. The Geopolymer chemistry concept was invented in 1979 with the creation of a non-for profit scientific organization, the Institut de Recherche sur les Géopolymères (Geopolymer Institute); Fire resistant wood panel; Insulated panels and walls. Decorative stone artifacts; Foamed (expanded) geopolymer panels for thermal insulation; Low-tech building materials; Energy low ceramic tiles; Refractory items; Thermal shock refractory; Aluminum foundry application; Geopolymer cement and concrete; Fire resistant and fire proof composite for infrastructures repair and strengthening; Fireproof high-tech applications, aircraft interior, automobile; High-tech resin systems. The applications are based on 30 patents filed and issued in several countries. Several patents are now in the public domain, but others are still valid. The applications show genuine geopolymer products having brilliantly withstood 25 years of use and that are continuously commercialized.

Click here to see how you can download paper number 15.

The fire response of a potassium aluminosilicate matrix (GEOPOLYMER) carbon fiber composite was measured and the results compared to organic matrix composites being used for infrastructure and transportation applications. At irradiance levels of 50 kW/m2 typical of the heat flux in a well developed fire, glass- or carbon-reinforced polyester, vinylester, epoxy, bismaleimide, cyanate ester, polyimide, phenolic, and engineering thermoplastic laminates ignited readily and released appreciable heat and smoke, while carbon-fiber reinforced GEOPOLYMER composites did not ignite, burn, or release any smoke even after extended heat flux exposure. The GEOPOLYMER matrix carbon fiber composite retains sixty-three percent of its original 245 MPa flexural strength after a simulated large fire exposure.

Click here to see how you can download paper number 4.

This report presents the results of an experimental investigation of the behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber fabrics and geopolymer. The primary objective of the investigation was to determine whether geopolymer can be used instead of organic polymers for fastening the carbon fabrics to concrete. Four reinforced concrete beams that were similar to the ones reinforced with carbon fabrics and organic adhesives were tested. The beams had 0, 2, 3 and 5 layers of unidirectional carbon fabrics attached at the tension face of the beams. The results indicate that geopolymer provides excellent adhesion both to concrete surface and in the interlaminar planes of fabrics. All three beams failed by tearing of fabrics. This is very significant because very few researchers report failure of beams with tearing of fabrics. The most common failure pattern reported in the literature is the failure by delamination of fabrics at the interface of concrete and fabrics. Hence it can be stated that geopolymer provides as good or better adhesion in comparison with organic polymers. In addition, geopolymer is fire resistant, does not degrade under UV light, and is chemically compatible with concrete. Therefore, the product can be successfully developed for use in the repair and retrofitting of concrete structures.

Click here to see how you can download paper number 2.

published in the journal “Fire and Materials”, USA, 1996

This paper presents the latest results on the properties of GEOPOLYMER/CARBON composite, namely: * viscosity,

• chemical reactivity,
• differential scanning calorimetry,
• thermogravimetric analyses,
• mechanical properties (inplane shear, interlaminar shear, warp tensile, flexure).

It further compares GEOPOLYMER/CARBON composite to organic matrix composites being used for infrastructure and transportation applications. At irradiance levels of 50 kW/m2 typical of the heat flux in a well developed fire, glass- or carbon-reinforced polyester, vinylester, epoxy, bismaleimide, cyanate ester, polyimide, phenolic, and engineering thermoplastic laminates ignited readily and released appreciable heat and smoke, while carbon-fiber reinforced GEOPOLYMER composites did not ignite, burn, or release any smoke even after extended heat flux exposure. The GEOPOLYMER matrix carbon fiber composite retains sixty-three percent of its original flexural strength after a simulated large fire exposure.

Click here to see how you can download paper number 1.

Other interesting publications on the same topic of aluminosilicate polymers

We recommand following recent papers published in 1996-1997 by a research group at Free University of Brussels (V.U.B.), Belgium. These papers confirm the presence of a polymeric structure for aluminosilicates of the geopolymeric type. These papers are excellent for there scientific content but do not deserve any further consideration for there lack of any reference to the scientific papers nor to the numerous issued patents published by Joseph Davidovits and listed in the CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS databank. One of the authors of these papers, Prof. J. WASTIELS, worked with geopolymeric binders supplied by the company Géopolymère (Pont-Ste Maxence, France) and also presented a paper at the First European Conference on Geopolymer, GEOPOLYMER ‘88, 1998, Université de Technologie, Compiègne, France, paper titled: “Composites with Mineral Matrix in Low Energy Construction”, by G. Patfoort and J. Wastiels, in GEOPOLYMER ‘88, J. Davidovits and J. Orlinski Eds.., Volume 2, Paper nr 16, pp. 215-221, 1988. The presentation abstract of this paper, Session D Nr27 (see in GEOPOLYMER ‘88, page 11) reads as follows: “On March 31, 1987, French President Francois Mitterand laid the foundation stone of the new University of Technology at Sevenans, France. This foundation stone was man-made, more precisely had been geopolymerised at 55°C, in our laboratories [at V.U.B.]. Our involvement with geopolymeric reactions goes back to 1982 when we started a collaboration with Prof. J. Davidovits and the Geopolymer Institute. A series of low cost composites for low energy construction are being developed at Vrije Universitet Brussels, starting from aluminosilicates. Geopolymerisation reaction can take place at atmospheric pressure and at low temperatures (between room temperature and 100°C), so that a low amount of energy is used for production. Applications are expected to be found in low cost housing, using locally available raw materials, and more generally in composite materials with geopolymeric matrix”.

• Rahier H., Van Mele B., Biesemans.M., Wastiels J. and Wu X., Low-temperature synthesized aluminosilicate glasses Part I, J. Material Sciences, 31 (1996) 71-79.
• Rahier H., Van Mele B., Wastiels J., Low-temperature synthesized aluminosilicate glasses Part II, J. Material Sciences, 31 (1996) 80-85.
• Rahier H., Simons W., Van Mele B., Biesemans.M., Low-temperature synthesized aluminosilicate glasses Part III, J. Material Sciences, 32 (1997) 2237-2247.

For list of the 10 papers and abstracts go to
http://ocms.acers.org/abstract.asp?confid=31&sympid=398&sessid=2679

Link to the SAMPE Journal is
http://www.sampe.org/journalpast04.html#Sept/October04