Durability of inorganic foam in solution: The role of alkali elements in the geopolymer network
Résumé
The characterization of the behavior of inorganic foams in aqueous media is defined as a function of various parameters (initial pH value of the solution, alkaline element and aging of the foam). The final products and their microstructure depend on the alkaline cation in relation with the hydration shell. Durability tests revealed that the geopolymer foam network is based on three compounds: a dense geopolymer depending on the alkaline element, amorphous silica and M 2Si 2O 5. For potassium foam, a fourth component was also evidenced: a zeolite that is partly responsible for the degradation of this foam.