Jordanian
kaolinite polymerization has been studied to determine the effect of
using different alkaline materials such as NaOH, KOH, and Ca(OH)2, and
sand as a filler on the compressive strength, durability under wet and
dry conditions, and water absorption of the produced specimens. The
studied parameters were mixing proportions such as; alkaline materials
to kaolinite ratios, filler to kaolinite ratios, water to kaolinite
ratios, and filler particles size. The polymerization step was carried
out by mixing the kaolinitie and the filler with the alkaline solution
in the case of NaOH and KOH before molding the specimens. In the case of
Ca(OH)2, the kaolinitie, fillers, and powder of Ca(OH)2 were dry mixed
together before water is added. The moulding step was carried out using a
stainless steel mould at a pressure of about 15 MPa, the curing
temperature was 80°C. Twenty four hours was the curing time for
specimens containing NaOH or KOH, while 7 days was the curing time for
Ca(OH)2 specimens. The obtained results indicate that using NaOH as an
alkaline material has the best compressive strength of 45.45 MPa under
dry condition, 20.38 MPa under wet condition, and the lowest water
absorption of 9.41 %. The composition of the specimens with optimum
values consist of 42.37 % kaolinite, 5.93 % NaOH, 42.37 % sand, and 9.32
% water, with sand particles size of (180-355) μm. The specimens of
NaOH and sand as a filler showed highest durability under dry cycling
condition compared with KOH specimens. While the specimens of KOH and
sand as a filler showed highest durability under immersion, and wet
cycling condition. © 2011 Jordan Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.