Effects of Polycarboxylate-based Grinding Aid on the Performance of Grinded Cement

Abstract

A molecular modified PCE-type GA was self-synthesized, and the grindability concerning grinding duration and particle size distribution of ground cement was evaluated. Setting time, flowability, hydration heat, mechanical properties and microstructure of the ground cement were also investigated. The results show that: PCE-type GA is effective in cement grinding. With 0.03% PCE-type GA added into cement clinker, the Blain surface area reaches to the highest at every ten minutes, and the volume percent of cement particles with size of (0–32 µm) reaches the highest. Excessive amount of PCE-type GA seems to impair the grinding efficiency. The grinding efficiency promotes cement fineness and hence contributes to the cement hydration degree as well as improves the mechanical properties.

Keywords

PCE-type GA / cement / grindability / fineness / hydration properties