This research presents an experimental study carried out for the modeling and optimization of some technological parameters for the machining of metallic materials. Certain controllable factors were analyzed such as cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed per tooth. A dedicated research methodology was used to obtain a model which subsequently led to a process optimization by performing a required number of experiments utilizing the Minitab software application. The methodology was followed, and the optimal value of the surface roughness was obtained by the milling process for an aluminum alloy type 7136-T76511. A SECO cutting tool was used, which is standard in aluminum machining by milling. Experiments led to defining a cutting regime that was optimal and which shows that the cutting speed has a significant influence on the quality of the machined surface and the depth of cut and feed per tooth has a relatively small impact on the chosen ranges of process parameters.

The one-part geopolymer binder was synthesis from the mixing of aluminosilicate material with solid alkali activators. The properties of one-part geopolymers vary according to the type and amount of solid alkali activators used. This paper presents the effect of various sodium metasilicate-to-sodium aluminate (NaAlO2/Na2SiO3) ratios on fly ash-based one-part geopolymer. The NaAlO2/Na2SiO3 ratios were set at 1.0 to 3.0. Setting time of fresh one-part geopolymer was examined through Vicat needle apparatus. Mechanical and microstructural properties of developed specimens were analysed after 28 days of curing in ambient condition. The study concluded that an increase in NaAlO2 content delayed the setting time of one-part geopolymer paste. The highest compressive strength was achieved at the NaAlO2/Na2SiO3 ratio of 2.5, which was 33.65 MPa. The microstructural analysis revealed a homogeneous structure at the optimum ratio. While the sodium aluminium silicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) and anorthite phases were detected from the XRD analysis.

This study summarised the recent achievement in developing fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete. The factor of replacing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) which is due to the emission of carbon dioxide that pollutes the environment globally is well discussed. The introduction towards metakaolin is presented. Besides, the current research trend involved in geopolymer also has been reviewed for the current 20 years to study the interest of researchers over the world by year. Factors that contribute to the frequency of geopolymer research are carried out which are cost, design, and the practicality of the application for geopolymer concrete. Besides, the importance of steel fibers addition to the geopolymer concrete is also well discussed. The fundamental towards metakaolin has been introduced including the source of raw material, which is calcined kaolin, calcined temperature, chemical composition, geopolymerisation process, and other properties. Alkali activators which are mixing solution between sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) have been reviewed. The mechanical properties of fibers reinforced metakaolin-based geopolymer concrete which is compressive and flexural are thoroughly reviewed. The compressive and flexural strength of fiber-reinforced metakaolin geopolymer concrete shows some improvement to the addition of steel fibers. The reviews in this field demonstrate that reinforcement of metakaolin geopolymer concrete by steel fibers shows improvement in mechanical performance.

Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) method with cement as a binder to remediate metals in petroleum sludge has been successfully proven. However, this technique has not yet been explored to remediate organic contaminants since a high concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) was also detected in the sludge. This study focuses on remediating 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds in raw petroleum sludge with Portland cement as a binder using the S/S method. The initial concentration of 16 PAHs in the raw sludge was first measured before the performance of the S/S method to remediate the PAHs were evaluated. The S/S matrices were tested for leaching behavior and strength after 7 and 28 days by air curing. The leaching test was measured using the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP), and the remaining PAHs concentration in the matrices was analyzed using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). In the raw sludge, all 16 PAHs compounds were below the standard limit except for Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Dibenzo(ah)anthracene, and Indeno(1,2,3- cd_ pyrene), which are considered as high rings PAHs. The high rings PAHs show lower concentration in leachate than low rings PAHs, which indicates the potential of the S/S method in remediating high rings PAHs. The high sludge ratio in S/S matrices has shown that the percentage strength is increasing, similar to Portland cement. Therefore, this study contributed to the possibility of the S/S method in the remediation of PAHs in petroleum sludge by using only Portland cement as a binder.

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties and microstructure of geopolymer repair materials mixed using fly ash (FA) and concrete substrates. An optimal combination of FA and concrete substrate was determined using the compressive test of geopolymer mortar mixed with various concrete substrate classes. It was found that the contribution of (C35/45) concrete substrates with the FA geopolymer mortar increases the 28-day bonding strength by 25.74 MPa. The microstructure analysis of the samples using scanning electron microscopy showed the denser structure owing to the availability of high calcium and iron elements distribution. These metal cations (Ca2+ and Fe3+) are available at OPC concrete substrate as a result from the hydration process reacted with alumina-silica sources of FA and formed calcium aluminate silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels and Fe-bonding linkages.

The density, compressive strength, and thermal insulation properties of fly ash geopolymer paste are reported. Novel insulation material of glass bubble was used as a replacement of fly ash binder to significantly enhance the mechanical and thermal properties compared to the geopolymer paste. The results showed that the density and compressive strength of 50% glass bubble was 1.45 g/cm3 and 42.5 MPa, respectively, meeting the standard requirement for structural concrete. Meanwhile, the compatibility of 50% glass bubbles tested showed that the thermal conductivity (0.898 W/mK), specific heat (2.141 MJ/m3K), and thermal diffusivity (0.572 mm2/s) in meeting the same requirement. The improvement of thermal insulation properties revealed the potential use of glass bubbles as an insulation material in construction material.

Malaysia’s construction industry is experiencing rapid growth, translating into increased demand for cement. However, cement production pollutes the air to the detriment of the climate via CO2 emission, making research into a cementitious replacement in concrete a necessity. This paper details an experimental study of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with partial replacement of cement by rice straw ash (RSA), which is expected to result in environmental preservation due to the green materials being used in cement production. The physicomechanical properties of the SCC with RSA replacement were determined via its compressive strength, water absorption, self-workability, and fire resistance (residual strength after exposure to high temperatures). The proportion of RSA replacement used were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, and all passed the slump flow test, except the 20% and 25% samples. The SCC samples with 15% of RSA replacement reported the highest compressive strength at 7 and 28 curing days and the highest residual strength post-exposure to high temperatures. The lowest percentage of water absorption was reported by the 15% of RSA replacement, with a density of 2370 kg/m3.