Search

In an effort to limit the environmental impact of concrete materials, there is increasing interest in the development and use of a wider range of minerals as acceptable supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This study investigated calcined blended clays of kaolinite and bentonite, with impurities, to assess their feasibility as SCMs. The combined use of Rietveld quantitative x-ray diffraction (RQXRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques proved useful in initially gauging amorphous content post-calcination, lending insight into the relationship between calcination temperature and pozzolanic reactivity. The results demonstrated that for the calcined blended clays, as the amorphous content increased, the SCM consumed more portlandite and the compressive strength of cement-SCM mortars increased. Blends of kaolinite–bentonite clays, containing initially 35 wt.% crystalline kaolinite prior to calcination, achieved roughly 10% increase in compressive strength over samples containing 100 wt.% cement, at 90 days. Blended kaolinite SCMs may offer significant advantages as a low-cost alternative binder or cement replacement material, with the ability to maintain or enhance mechanical strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to use activation treatments on sodium montmorillonite and illite shale, to alter early hydration or later pozzolanic reactivity when used as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). For comparison purposes, treatment methods were also applied to the highly reactive pozzolan, metakaolin, and the inert filler, quartz. Activation treatment strategies included the addition of 0.15wt% zinc oxide and the use of thermal treatments to the SCMs at temperatures of 650°C, 830°C and 930°C. The use of zinc oxide additions increased the early hydration rate of SCM-containing pastes, yet introduced a chemical retardation and negatively impacted early compressive strengths. Moreover, the results suggest that retardation was inversely correlated with the pozzolanic reactivity of the SCM used. Thermal treatment methods were effective at influencing the SCM pozzolanic reactivity, with montmorillonite calcined at 830°C and illite calcined at 930°C behaving as late-reacting pozzolans. SCMs calcined at these temperatures resulted in higher 90day compressive strengths compared to mortars containing the quartz filler. Overall, this study provides insight into different strategies that maybe used to enhance the reactivity of impure calcined clays in order to facilitate their acceptance into the concrete industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed to improve the reactivity of metakaolin-cement mixtures using ZnO additions. Kaolinite samples with 0.1–1wt% ZnO were calcined at temperature intervals of 50°C from 500 to 650°C for 1h. The resulting metakaolins were examined for structural changes after calcination and for their pozzolanic reactivity, influence on the hydration behavior of cement pastes, and impact on the compressive strength of mortar cubes. ZnO behaved as a delayed accelerator for cement paste. However, when ZnO was combined with highly amorphous metakaolin, chemical retardation was eliminated while acceleration was maintained. Such systems also had increased 28-day compressive strengths. ZnO additions did not affect the degree of dehydroxylation or the pozzolanic reactivity of the metakaolin. These results could facilitate the use of less pure calcined clays as SCM by providing a mechanism for improving reactivity and may also impact the ability to use zinc-contaminated materials in concrete. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]