Hydration Characteristics and Synthesis of Hauyne-Belite Cement as Low Temperature Sintering Cementitious Materials

Article information

J. Korean Ceram. Soc.. 2018;55(3):224-229
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 May 23
doi : https://doi.org/10.4191/kcers.2018.55.3.04
*Department of Advanced Materials Engineering, Kangwon National University, Samcheock 25913, Korea
**Research Center of Advanced Convergence Processing on Materials, Kangwon National University, Samcheock 25913, Korea
Corresponding author: Myong-Shin Song, E-mail: msong0422@kangwon.ac.kr, Tel: +82-33-570-6558, Fax : +82-33-570-6556
Corresponding author: Se-Hoon Jeon, E-mail: zine2421@naver.com, Tel: +82-33-570-6556, Fax : +82-33-570-6556
Received 2017 October 23; Revised 2018 March 19; Accepted 2018 March 20.

Abstract

OPC production requires high calorific value and emits a large amount of CO2 through decarbonation of limestone, accounting for about 7% of CO2 emissions. To reduce CO2 emissions during the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) production process, there is a method of reducing the consumption of cement or lower temperature calcination for OPC product. In this study, for energy consumption reduction, we prepared Hauyne-belite cement by calcination at a low temperature compared to that used for OPC and studied the early hydration properties of the synthesized Hauyne-belite cement. We set the ratios of Hauyne and belite to 8 : 2, 5 : 5 and 3 : 7. For the hydration properties of the synthesized Hauyne-belite cement, we tested heat of hydration of paste and the compressive strength of mortar, using XRD and SEM for analysis of hydrates. As for our results, the temperature for optimum synthesis of Hauyne-belite is 1,250°C. Compressive strength of synthesized Hauyne-belite cement is lower than that of OPC, but it is confirmed that compressive strength of synthesized Hauyne-belite cement with mixing in of some other materials can be similar to that of OPC.

Keywords: Hauyne; Belite; CSA; CO2

1. Introduction

Compared to many industries, the cement industry has high energy consumption due to the high calcination temperature required in the production of clinker. Approximately 0.9 tons of CO2 are produced for each container of cement, and approximately 50 million tons of CO2 are produced in the domestic cement industry.1) Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the most widely used binder for concrete used for construction. As the use of OPC increases, the production of CO2 increases as well and contributes to environmental problems such as global warming.2) There are a number of representative methods that can used to reduce emissions of CO2 and energy in the production of cement, including numerous approaches for low temperature calcination of cement, and geopolymers. Hauyne-Belite cement (HBC) has been reported to be manufacturable at low calcination temperature compared to conventional OPC. Thus, the development of HBC can reduce the use of natural resources compared to the fabrication of OPC, while reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, relieving environmental loads.

HBC produces ettringite through the hydration reactions of CaO and CaSO4 and the hydration product of acicular crystals improves compressive strength by micropore densificiation of the cement hardener.3) Also, it has been reported that belite influences long-term strength.4)

In this study, HBC was synthesized at temperatures below the low calcination temperature of 1300°C, compared to that of conventional OPC, and the properties of HPC were evaluated. Additionally, the initial hydration reaction properties and compressive strength based on various Hauyne and Belite composition ratios were investigated,5) and hydrate analysis was carried out.

2. Experiment Procedure

2.1. Synthesis Materials

The materials used in the synthesis of HBC were reagent grade,6) and Table 1 shows the properties of the reagents used in the synthesis.

Hauyne-Belite Cement Synthetic Materials

2.2. Optimal HBC Synthesis Condition

The mixing ratio was determined according to the molar ratio used for the synthesis of HBC. Table 2 shows the synthesis molar ratio where the target ratios of Hauyne and Belite were 8 : 2, 5 : 5, and 3 : 7.

Hauyne-Belite Cement Synthesis Ratio Unit (wt.%)

In order to determine the phase transition temperatures of the Hauyne7) and Belite, TG-DTA (Netzsch. Co., STA409PC Luxx model) analysis was conducted. Measurements were carried out up to the maximum temperature of 1,400°C with a heating rate of 5°C/min, and under O2 atmosphere. Fig. 1 shows the analysis results.

Fig. 1

Results of TG-DTA.

In addition, the amount of free-CaO depending on calcination temperature was determined by using the ethylene glycol method. Fig. 2 shows the free-CaO content according to temperature. Since free-CaO of around 10% was present up to 1200°C, it was determined that the temperature range was not appropriate. The amounts of free-CaO for 1250°C and 1300°C were 2.08% and 1.54%, respectively, so the appropriate temperature range was determined to be 1250°C or 1300°C. In this study, the optimal calcination temperature was set to 1250°C.

Fig. 2

Results for free-CaO using ethylene glycol.

Therefore, for the synthesis of HBC, the temperature was maintained at 850°C for 30 minutes for the decarbonation reaction, followed by 60 minutes at 1250°C where Hauyne is produced and synthesized through natural cooling within the furnace. Fig. 3 shows the calcination temperature condition. Finally, we have verified the yields of CSA and C2S and the values are the same as in Table 3.

Fig. 3

Hauyne-Belite Cement firing condition.

XRD-Rietveld Product Yield

2.3. Physical Property Experiment Method

The amount of added CaSO4 was calculated according to the production stoichiometry of ettringite depending on the molar ratios of CSA and CaSO4. Then, through substitution, the experimental mixing ratios were obtained and are shown in Table 4. The mortar compressive strength experiment was carried out in accordance with the KS L ISO 679 “cement strength experiment method”. Specimens with dimensions of 40 × 40 × 160 mm, W/B 0.5, and S/B 3.0 were prepared. The HBC compressive strength was measured for ages of 1, 3, 7 and 28 days. In order to measure the hydration reaction heat, an insulation box was used to measure the simple hydration heat with a 10 point data logger manufactured by Kyowa.

Hauyne-Belite Cement Mortar Test Mixing Ratio

Also, a paste of W/B 0.4 was fabricated to investigate the hydration products of HBC, and after curing at 21°C and humidity of 60%, the acetone immersion method was used based on ages of 1, 3, 7 and 28 days to make measurements by XRD (Rigaku. Co., D/Max-2500V) and FE-SEM (JSM-6701F/X-Max) after hydration termination. XRD analysis was carried out for the range of 2theta 5 ~ 65° at a scan rate of 1°/min.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Simple Hydration Heat Measurement Result

Figure 4 shows the hydration heat measurement result. Generally, CSA mainly produces ettringite and C-A-H from hydration through reactions of SO3, CaO, and H2O. The hydration measurement result showed hydration heat curves of 106.8°C, 103°C, and 87.3°C for HC, MC, and MC, respectively, and higher reaction heats were measured for greater CSA amounts. This result was determined to be hydration heat due to the ettringite production reaction, and it was concluded that the initial hydration reaction was proportional to the CSA amount. Meanwhile, LC showed the highest reaction rate and a greater amount of stabilized phase C2S compared to CSA. Therefore, the Ca and Al ions of CSA were more conveniently released to produce ettringite at a relatively faster time and faster hydration heat rate.

Fig. 4

Heat of hydration of cement paste.

3.2. XRD Analysis Result of the Hydration Products

Through the hydration reaction, CSA produces ettringite and C-A-H products, which contribute to the initial strength development. The results of the X-ray diffraction analysis performed to determine the HBC hydration products according to curing age are shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5

Results of XRD analysis.

For HBC, overall non-hydrated CaSO4 was identified, which was determined to be a result of the gypsum added, according to the theoretical amount of ettringite production, and the amount remaining without participating in the reaction. The amount of gypsum remaining was estimated by the peak intensity. The peak intensity order was HC > MC > LC, which was thought to be due to the differences in the amounts of gypsum added for each type.

Also, when the ettringite production amount was estimated by peak intensity according to each type and curing age, the ettringite production amount was almost constant regardless of the amount of added gypsum depending on the type and curing age from 1 to 28 days, along with the CSA amount. Here, gypsum was added based on the CSA content for each type according to the stoichiometry of Eq. (1) for ettringite production.

(1) C4A3·CaSO4+8CaSO4·2H+6CH+74H3(C3A·3CaSO4·32H)

The result obtained was thought to be because the theoretical production rates of ettringite for HC, MC, and LC were in similar ranges when the CSA amount and gypsum addition amount for each type were converted to percentages.

For OPC, it was found that the alite peak showed a decreasing trend as the curing age increased, and this was thought to contribute to the strength development according to the OPC hydration mechanism, through continuous C-S-H hydrate production.

3.3. Hydration Product SEM Analysis Result

Figures 6 and 7 show the SEM analysis results of the hydration products. The SEM image for the curing age of 1 day revealed a high distribution of acicular C-S-H hydrates for OPC, while ettringite was mainly distributed for HBC. For the curing age of 28 days, fine, acicular C-S-H hydrates were observed for OPC. For HBC, ettringite and fine, acicular C-S-H hydrates were observed, but the ettringite was dominantly distributed over the C-S-H hydrates. Therefore, for the curing age of 28 days, C-S-H hydrates were dominant for OPC hydrates, while ettringite was dominant for HBC hydrates.

Fig. 6

SEM photo of hydration on day 1.

Fig. 7

SEM photo of hydration on day 28.

3.4. HBC Compressive Strength Results

Figure 8 shows the compressive strength results for the hardened HBC. The compressive strength measurement results showed that among the gypsum added hardened HBC, the HC exhibited higher strength compared to the hardened OPC, while the hardened MC and LC exhibited lower compressive strength development compared to the hardened OPC. This result signified the initial compressive strength development through the production of ettringite according to the CSA in the initial stages of the hydration reaction. Also, this result showed that as the amount of C2S becomes relatively greater, the compressive strength development decreases.

Fig. 8

Compressive strength of mortar by curing age.

As observed in the X-ray diffraction analysis results, the amounts of ettringite produced in each type were similar, however, there were differences in the compressive strength development depending on the C2S amount. In this study, HBC was designed under the assumptions that the ettringite production would dominate the compressive strength development in the initial stages of hydration, followed by C2S hydration dominating the compressive strength development in the latter stages of hydration. However, the results obtained through this study revealed that the overall contribution to the compressive strength development was minimal when the C2S amount with regard to the CSA amount was greater than a specific ratio. Therefore, for the compressive strength development of HBC, the ettringite production dominated the compressive strength development for all the hydration curing ages, and it was predicted that the hydration of C2S has an assistive role in the compressive strength development. Further research is necessary to determine the underlying theoretical mechanism.

4. Conclusions

In this study, the optimal synthesis conditions and corresponding synthesis yield of Hauyne-Belite Cement were investigated and the following conclusions regarding hydration behavior were obtained.

  1. The yields of CSA and C2S according to the chemical composition ratios were 8 : 2, 5 : 5, and 3 : 7, and it was found that the optimal calcination temperature of 1250°C was appropriate.

  2. With regard to the mineral composition of the synthesized HBC, the development of compressive strength was not affected when the C2S amount for the CSA amount was greater than a specific ratio. The model with compressive strength development higher than that of OPC was found in this study to be the 8 : 2 ratio of CSA and C2S.

  3. The HBC with an 8 : 2 ratio of CSA and C2S showed higher compressive strength than OPC due to the the production of ettringite in the initial stages of hydration. The produced ettringite was found to dominate the compressive strength of all the hydration curing ages.

  4. The HBC with an 8 : 2 ratio of CSA and C2S showed a greater strength development than OPC with a curing age of 28 days, however, the role of C2S on the enhancement of long-term strength could not be assessed.

References

1. Song HJ. Effects of Calcium Aluminate Compounds on Hydration of Blast Furnace Slag (in Korean) in Master Thesis. Kangwon National University; Samchuk: 2016.
2. Lee SH. Physical and Chemical Properties of Cement Mortar with Gamma-C2S (in Korean) in Master Thesis. Kangwon National University; Samchuk: 2016.
3. Ki KD. The Study on Characteristics and Preparation of CSA Using Alunite (in Korean) Master Thesis. Myungji University; Seoul: 2000.
4. Ma B, Li X, Mao Y, Shen X. Synthesis and Characterization of High Belite Sulfoaluminate Cement through Rich Alumina Fly Ash and Desulfurization Gypsum. Ceram-Silik 57(1):7–13. 2013;
5. Lee SH. Study of the Synthesis of Hauyne-Belite Cement and its sea-Water Resistance (in Korean) in Master Thesis. Myungji University; Seoul: 1984.
6. Irvin Allen Chen BS. Synthesis of Portland Cement and Calcium Sulfoaluminate-Belite Cement for Sustainable Development and Performance in PhD Thesis. The University of Texas at Austin; Austin: 2009.
7. Shen Y, Qian J, Chai J, Fan Y. Calcium Sulphoaluminate Cements Made with Phosphogypsum: Production Issues and Material Properties. Cem Concr Compos 48:67–74. 2014;

Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Results of TG-DTA.

Fig. 2

Results for free-CaO using ethylene glycol.

Fig. 3

Hauyne-Belite Cement firing condition.

Fig. 4

Heat of hydration of cement paste.

Fig. 5

Results of XRD analysis.

Fig. 6

SEM photo of hydration on day 1.

Fig. 7

SEM photo of hydration on day 28.

Fig. 8

Compressive strength of mortar by curing age.

Table 1

Hauyne-Belite Cement Synthetic Materials

Component Product Molecular weight (g) Purity
CaCO3 DAEJUNG 100.09 Extra pure
Al2O3 JUNSEI 101.96 Guaranteed Reagent
CaSO4 Alfa Aesar 136.14 99%
SiO2 JUNSEI 60.08 Extra pure

Table 2

Hauyne-Belite Cement Synthesis Ratio Unit (wt.%)

Type name CaCO3 Al2O3 CaSO4 SiO2 SUM
HC 49.9 30.5 13.6 6.0 100
MC 61.7 17.2 7.6 13.5 100
LC 63.7 10.8 4.8 17.0 100

Table 3

XRD-Rietveld Product Yield

CSA (%) C2S (%) CaSO4 (%) CaO (%) Al2O3 (%) Etc. (%)
HC 84.3 15.7 - - - -
1250°C MC 46.9 53.1 - - - -
LC 31.7 68.3 - - - -

Table 4

Hauyne-Belite Cement Mortar Test Mixing Ratio

OPC (wt.%) HC (wt.%) MC (wt.%) LC (wt.%) CaSO4 (wt.%)
Plain 100 - - - -
HC - 64.6 - - 35.4
MC - - 76.9 - 23.1
LC - - - 83.3 16.7