Efficient complex activation of Portland cement through processing it in the vortex layer machine

摘要

Today, more and more studies are devoted to activation of primary components of building materials. This paper is concerned with the viability of activating mineral bonding materials, Portland cement in particular, in the Vortex Layer Machine (VLM) with a purpose of physical modification. By applying modern methods for studying the specific surface, pH change, X-ray phase and differential-thermal analysis, and IR spectroscopy, it was found that activation of Portland cement in the VLM constitutes an efficient method for enhancing physical and chemical activity. It was also found that, depending on the content of mineral additives in the VLM, activation of Portland cement leads to significant extension of its specific surface, decrease of particle size, and also to prevalence of processes related to activation of an agent in the surface layer. During activating Portland cement, mineral crystal structure is being destructed, with the most significant changes observed for C3S. Besides, processing Portland cement in the VLM results in polycondensation of SiO4-tetrahedral units, which reduces the basicity of hydrated calcium silicates during hydration; in the cement stone, ettringite content increases, and so does content of low-basic hydrated calcium silicates and aluminates, which reinforces strength and chemical resistance of concrete. The acquired results speak for benefits of activating mineral bonding materials in the VLM with the purpose of enhancing physical-mechanical properties of building materials.