Influence of curing / drying methods including microwave heating on alkali activation of waste casting coresHorvat, Barbara (Avtor) Ducman, Vilma (Avtor) waste casting coresalkali activationcuringdryingmicrowavesmechanical strengthWithin previous investigation alkali activation of waste casting cores at room temperature did not give promising results, i.e. when the precursor was gently ground and sieved below 600 %m the alkali activated material fell apart at demolding, and when the precursor was ground below 90 %m, the alkali activated material did not solidify in more than 2 years. , Therefore different drying/curing methods were applied to enhance the reaction. Waste casting cores were prepared in two granulations (sieved below 600 %m and below 90 %m), activated with Na -water glass and 10 M NaOH, cured at different temperatures (70 °C and room temperature), and subsequently cured/dried at three different conditions: room temperature, 110 °C, and irradiated with microwaves. The highest compressive strength, 25 MPa, was gained with subsequent curing/drying at 110 °C. The lowest density, 0.5 kg/l, with compressive strength above 3 MPa, was achieved with subsequent curing/drying with microwaves .Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG)20212024-01-22 14:36:21Neznano17933sl© 2021 Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute