Basic physical and electrical properties of geopolymers with graphite powder Available to Purchase

Construction materials are required to exhibit good mechanical properties, sufficient durability, and resistance to the negative influence of the environment, such as resistance of the moistened material to freeze-thaw cycles, resistance to intake and crystallization of salts or significant changes in temperature. Besides, it exists the requirement for the design of materials with additional properties, so-called multifunctional materials. Optimization of electrical properties of mostly electrically non-conductive construction materials opens up a wide range of their new applicability, such as in self-heating or self-sensing applications. In the case of self-heating, sufficiently high electrical conductivity of the optimized construction material must be achieved. Determination of electrical properties is the first crucial step for the estimation of self-heating ability. This paper is focused on experimental determination of basic physical and electrical properties in DC/AC regime of the composite based on alkali-activated slag with graphite admixture in the amount of 6.25 wt.%. Basic physical properties were determined by gravimetric method and helium pycnometry. DC parameters were identified by measurements of the resistance and calculations of the electrical conductivity. AC parameters were identified by LCR bridge. It was observed that electrical properties of geopoymer enhanced by graphite powder in amount of 6.25 wt.% ensure self-heating ability of such composite which can be classified as multifunctional.