Hydration and mechanical properties of less clinker cement incorporating chemical admixtures

This study intended to enhance the mechanical properties of cement with less clinker content through the addition of composite admixtures (JT-GA), and decreasing the amount of CO2 released in cement production. In this investigation, the effects of incorporating JT-GA on the grinding efficiency, setting time, standard water demand, mechanical properties, hydration heat, and hydrates of cement samples, P80-1-0 (80% clinker, H19-GA), P74-1-0 (74% clinker, 0.05% H19-GA), and P74-1-1 (74% clinker, 0.05% H19-GA and 0.1% JT-GA), were examined. Results indicated that the mechanical properties of cement with less clinker (P74-1-1) were significantly improved through the addition of JT-GA. Compared to cement with 80% clinker content (P80-1-0), the compressive strengths at 3 d and 28 d were increased by 6.5% and 11.3%, respectively. This improvement was attributed to the use of JT-GA, which leads to a more uniform particle size distribution in cement with reduced clinker content and significantly promoted the dissolution of Fe3+ and Al3+ ions from ferric phases to react with aluminates, thus facilitating the formation of Hc/Mc, leading to the stabilization of ettringite. This further reduced porosity and increased the compressive strength. Additionally, the incorporation of JT-GA had minimal impact on the setting time and water demand for normal consistency of cement with reduced clinker content. © 2024 Bauverlag BV GmbH. All rights reserved.