Thermophysical properties of woven fabrics reinforced geopolymer composites

The aim of this study is to determinate thermophysical properties (thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal expansion) of geopolymer composites reinforced with different types of woven fabrics. Many reinforcements and geopolymer matrices are now available, but our work was focused on geopolymer matrix Q₁₃K₁, which involved common of thermal silica, kaolin, and potassium water glass; and combination with fabric E-glass, basalt and carbon fibers were also investigated. The samples were prepared using a standard vacuum bagging technique. The fabrics were impregnated with the matrix by-hand, stacked together and placed in the vacuum bag. Thermophysical properties were determined in accordance with national and international standards such as ASTM E-1461, DIN 30905, DIN EN 821, DIN 53752, etc.