Waste-based geopolymer mortar stays strong at 1,472°F and gets stronger when reheated

Kaunas University of Technology researchers developed a cement-free geopolymer mortar made from brick and metakaolin waste.

The mortar maintained or even improved compressive strength after exposure to 800°C and repeated heating cycles.

The best mixes reached 34.7 MPa with ceramic waste aggregates and 53.0 MPa with corundum aggregates.

The material could reduce reliance on carbon-intensive Portland cement while improving fire and wildfire resistance in buildings and infrastructure.