Effect of particle size distribution of granulated blast furnace slag and clinker on the properties of blast furnace cements

For 28 blast furnace cements produced by intergrinding the initial materials the particle size distribution of those materials was determined from the particle size distribution of the cement and from the concentration of certain guide oxides in the particle size fractions obtained by air jet classification. Furthermore, 33 blast furnace cements produced from separately ground materials were investigated for particle size distribution. With increasing specific surface of the interground cement the position parameter of the granulated slag underwent a more marked decrease than that of the clinker. It appears from the results of the research that the particle size distribution of the clinker affects more particularly the early strength, whereas that of the granulated slag primarily affects the 28-day and 91-day strength of the cement. No systematic influence upon water requirement and setting behavior of the blast furnace cements was observed.