Microstructure and phase characterizations of fly ash cements by alkali activation

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Micro/mesoporous catalysts of ZSM-35/MCM-41 type were developed by mechanical synthesis method with the objective to use on the catalytic pyrolysis of...     

Effect of the mechanical activation of nepheline concentrate on its binding properties in mixed cements

Binding properties of a Portland cement-nepheline-water formulation were studied in relation to its nepheline content by using a preliminary mechanical activation. A thermal analysis was used to estimate the hydration rate of cement phases in the system under study. The accelerating role of nepheline in hardening of mechanically activated Portland cement-nepheline formulations was revealed and found to be more pronounced in early stages. The gain in the strength of the cement stone was analyzed in relation to the formulation composition and hardening duration.     

Phosphate cements

Phosphate cements, which are used for bonding ceramic refractory and heat-insulating materials, and are significants component in the production of molds and molding rods, refractory articles, masonry mortars, and heat-resistant building materials, are described. The importance of manufacturing phosphate cements from different types of available raw materials, including wastes from many technologies, is demonstrated. The outlook for using phosphate cements is discussed and specific propositions on their production are given.     

MDF cements

The applicability of MDF synthesis procedure, the coincidence of the interfacial cross-linking and the moisture resistance of MDF-related mixes based on two industrial Portland cements (CEM I, CEM II) and poly-P are reported. The knowledge of the moisture resistance of synthesized material is of paramount importance; two independent experimental methods confirmed that the moisture resistance of MDF cements based on CEM I (or CEM II) with 5% of poly-P achieves sufficient levels at 50% RH and at ambient values of RH. The results of thermal analysis are directly related to the former knowledge on the appearance and role of cross-links in the interfacial zone of MDF cements. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Kinetics of gypsum dehydration

A systematic study was conducted to investigate the correlation between the dehydration of gypsum and the time and temperature of calcination as well as the grain size of the starting material.It was found that the proposed formula

may be considered as a real expression of the dehydration raction throughtout the major part of α. However, the initial and final stages of dehydration revealed a slight shift due to the induction period and the residual amount of water retained by the soluble anhydrite crystal lattice, respectively. The dehydration reaction at 160°C is nearly double that at 100°C and four times that at 70°C, using one particle size. Generally, as the grain size of gypsum becomes less than about 0.13 mm an abrupt increase in the dehydration process occurs with any slight decrease in diameter. A moderate change occurs, however, as the grain size changes over 0.13 mm.     

Effect of the mechanical activation of baddeleyite concentrate on its binding properties in the composition of mixed cements

The binding properties of the baddeleyite concentrate mechanically treated with the use of Portland cement and alumina clinkers as activator were studied.     

Study of gypsum by PDSC

Calcium sulfate dihydrate has been widely characterized by both differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (TG). Two dehydration processes were reported to be partially overlapping. High resolution TG and water vapor self generated atmosphere pin-hole lid strategies were used to increase the resolution of both dehydration processes. In this study, isobaric experiments were carried out in a pressure differential scanning calorimetry cell. The approach consisted in combining the pin-hole lid with different pressures with nitrogen atmosphere. Resolution was improved at moderately low pressures. At higher pressures other processes were observed.     

Infrared reflection spectra of gypsum

Polarized i.r. reflection spectra of gypsum single crystals have been measured and analysed using the Kramers—Kronig relation. The transverse and longitudinal frequencies are obtained together with the optical and dielectric constants of the crystal. The librational bands of water of crystallization are identified based on the i.r. spectra of deuterated powders and low-temperature i.r. spectra. Polarized Raman spectra have also been measured, which agree well with those reported previously.     

ESR studies of Anatolian gypsum

Electron spin resonance (ESR) was used to date the formation and most recent recrystallization of three types of gypsum samples (massive, bedded and fracture filling gypsum) from the Sakarya Formation at Eski?ehir in the middle of Turkey. The ESR spectra had the signals of Fe3+ and Mn2+ in addition to those of the G1 and G2 sensitive centers (g = 2.002 and 2.008) to artificial gamma-irradiation. ESR intensities of G1 and G2 were enhanced by gamma-ray irradiation to give equivalent doses DE) for each sample. The ESR ages derived from the annual doses of 238U, 232Th and 40K contents of the samples determined by thermal neutron activation analysis (TNAA) were between 43 +/- 18 ka (massive gypsum) and 1100 +/- 466 ka (bedded gypsum) as minimal and maximal values. The ages fall into the upper Miocene-Pliocene Epoch of the geological time scale, which agreed with the stratigraphy.     

Characterization of gypsum using TMDSC

Gypsum is a dihydrated calcium sulfate, with the composition of CaSO₄⋅2H₂O, with large application interest in ceramic industry, odontology, sulfuric acid production, cement, paints, etc. During calcination, a phase transformation is observed associated to the loss of water, leading to the formation of gypsum or anhydrite, which may present different phases. The identification of the phases is not so easy since their infrared spectra and their X-ray diffraction patterns are quite similar. Thus, in this work, temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) was used to identify the different gypsum phases, which can be recognized by their different profiles.     

Calorimetric studies of special cements

The kinetics and even the mechanism of cement reaction with water can be successfully investigated by use of microcalorimetry. In this study this method was applied to follow the hydration of the new family of portland cements containing C₁₂A₇ ^* and C₁₁A₇·CaF₂ addition as well as special cement with C₃A replacement by calcium sulphoaluminate. It has been found that C₁₁A₇·CaF₂ acted as hydration retarder. The heat evolution curves for C₁₂A₇ containing samples without CaF₂ are very similar to those for the reference portland cement samples. XRD and SEM studies confirm the results described above, relating to the retardation of alite hydration. The process is positively modified by the addition of anhydrite. In the presence of calcium sulphoaluminate (4CaO·3Al₂O₃·SO₃) the hydration at early stage occurs with the rapid formation of large amount of the ettringite phase. The calcium fluoride acts as a set retarder. The full compatibility of calorimetry with SEM and XRD results should be underlined. In cement chemistry the following notation is used:C=CaO,A=Al₂O₃,S=SiO₂,H=H₂O etc. for the main oxide constituents of portland cement clinker and hydrates.     

Heat resistance of portland cements

Recent fire cases indicated again the importance of fire research. Fast development of construction technology requires new materials. Initiation and development of fire are strongly influenced by the choice of construction materials. In addition to their mechanical properties, their behaviour in elevated temperature is also of high importance. Residual compressive strength of concrete exposed to high temperatures is influenced by the following factors: water-to-cement ratio, cement-to-aggregate ratio, type of aggregate and water content of concrete before exposing it to high temperatures and the fire process. Therefore, mix design and composition of concrete are of high importance for high temperatures. Based on the literature, the fire resistance of concrete is influenced by the used cement type. As regards the cement type, considerable importance has been attached to the various auxiliary materials, such as slag, fly ash, trass, metakaolines and silica fume. There has been no special research devoted to the fire behaviour of pure portland cements. Pure portland cements can be made with various oxide compositions or with different grinding fineness, which increases the resistance of cements to fire. The question arises what effects grinding fineness and oxide composition have on fire resistance of cements. In my experiments, the resistance of portland cements of different composition and grinding fineness to fire (high temperature) were examined. For the test of the solidified cement paste, cement paste cubes of 30-mm edge length were prepared. The specimens were stored in water for 7 days and then in laboratory conditions for 21 days. The cubes of more than 28 days were heated to the given temperature in the furnace and then kept at the given temperature for 2 h (50, 150, 300, 500, 800 °C). Following the 2 h of thermal load, the specimens were examined once their temperature cooled down to room temperature. I have experimentally demonstrated that in case of portland cements, the grinding fineness and aluminate modulus of the cement (i.e. the oxide composition of the cement) have a significant effect on its fire resistance.     

Thermal behaviour of gypsum based composites

DTA/TG and X-ray investigations were carried out on different building composites in order to examine their relative hydration processes. The presence of lime, hemihydrate gypsum, ferosilicate, and some other wastes as leaner and hydrophobic additive in different proportions into composites provokes hydration reactions, leading to calcium silicate hydrate (CSH), ettringite and an intermediate phase formation with varying chemical composition of calcium, aluminum, silicon and sulfur. DTA curves indicate several transformations taking place between composites components, related to hydration of some phases. The content of ettringite component corresponds to the properties and it is used as an indicator for the possibility of industrial application. It is found out that gypsum based cementitious binders could be used as building material in the industry. The same time it is confirmed that the selected wastes could be considered as secondary raw materials.     

光催化纳米材料的制备与光催化活性

光催化材料作为催化剂能催化降解数千种有毒有害化合物,它条件温和、无毒无害、无二次污染,是非常有发展前途的环保方法。但该法也有缺陷,如需要紫外光照射、对高浓度污染物降解能力差等。本文综述了光催化纳米材料的制备方法,并对提高光催化剂催化活性的修饰方法进行了评述,对光催化材料制备及修饰的发展方向和趋势进行了展望。     

Partition coefficient of Ra in gypsum

A partition coefficient (λ) for Ra in gypsum was determined from coprecipitation experiment using oversaturation method. The λ-value derived for Ra was: λ _Ra = 0.32±0.15. Saturation state was estimated with the initial concentration of Ca and SO₄²⁻ in an experiment of the present study. Saturation index was calculated to be (0.49±0.02). This value was similar to those corresponds to analogous case where slow precipitation rate was kept in coprecipitation experiment for Sr in gypsum. Therefore, derived λ-value is thought to describe partition of Ra and Ca in solid phase and solution under an equilibrium condition without the effect of kinetic of precipitation. Determined λ-value was compared with those of other alkaline elements in sulfate minerals. The derived λ-value is smaller than that of Ra in barite and is similar to those of Sr in gypsum. This trend agrees with mechanical understanding for the size effect against partition coefficient.     

Problem of controlling the gypsum setting time

Effect of molasses, a waste formed in manufacture of sugar, on the gypsum setting time was studied. It is shown that molasses solutions can be used to control the hardening time of the gypsum paste.     

Emanation of radon from fly-ash and gypsum

The emanation of radon from fly-ash and gypsum can be estimated from a simple model. The cases of a fly-ash dump and a room panelled with gypsum plates are considered.     

Displacement reactions in gypsum. I

Displacement reactions between gypsum cleavage plates and alkali hydroxide solutions were investigated by means of TG, DSC, microscopy and X-ray. The nucleation and crystallization of the reaction products—Ca(OH)₂ and CaCO₃—were followed in relation to time, temperature and concentration of the MeOH solutions.