Influence of Mechanically Activated Silico-Manganese Slag on Hydration and Properties Development of Blended Cement

Abstract

Silico-manganese (SiMn) slag is a byproduct of the SiMn alloy production process, which has been blended with clinker to produce Portland slag cement. The influence of mechanical activation (in a vibratory mill) on the heat of hydration, physical properties, and structural changes is elucidated and compared with a ball-milled control sample. Calorimetric studies have shown the variation in hydraulic behavior with the addition of mechanically activated slag. However, reducing peak maxima and appearing later with an increase in fineness is not directly related to its reactivity. Still, it is due to the decrease in the water-to-binder ratio subcutaneously. Typical cement hydration phases such as CH, CSH, and CAH (throughout the study cement abbreviations are used such as C = CaO, A = Al2O3, S = SiO2, H = H2O, etc.) are identified by XRD analysis and further detected by EDX analysis. Formation of dense gel with a well-connected matrix attributes higher compressive strength development with an increase in milling time.