Performance of lightweight geopolymer exposed to freezing-thawing cycles

This work uses lightweight geopolymers from metakaolin-based geopolymer in 70 vol% and foam glass as a lightweight aggregate in 30 vol%. The study used three foam glass collages made from glass waste and foaming at 750–775–800 °C. The thermal conductivity value range of 0.18–0.28 W m −1 ·K −1 of the lightweight geopolymers proves its effectiveness as a thermal insulating material. The water absorption values range from 2.83–4.06 wt%. After 21 freeze-thaw cycles at −20 °C, the weight loss range of lightweight geopolymers samples was 20.02–34.09%, and the compressive strength reduction range was 32.5–77.9%. The lightweight geopolymer with foam glass sintered at 800 °C had 20.02% weight loss and 32.5% compressive reduction lower than other samples due to strong binder-aggregate bonding.