Assessment of Cuban Kaolinitic Clays as Source of Supplementary Cementitious Materials to Production of Cement Based on Clinker – Calcined Clay – Limestone

Abstract

Four new calcined kaolinitic clays as source of supplementary cementitious materials to production of cement with high level of clinker replacement were assessed in this research. Anhydrous cements were characterized by particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface (BET) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The pastes were assessed by X ray diffraction (XRD), TGA and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The behavior of blends was too assessed by compressive strength in standard mortars. The specific surface of LC3 cement depends mainly on the specific surface of calcination product of clay, which depend as well on the mineralogical composition of the raw material and the calcination temperature. Results indicated an agreement with the kaolinite content in the original clay, pozzolanic reactivity and the performances of blended cements. The research showed the potentialities of cuban clay deposits from different geologic origin to be used in the production of ternary blended cements with similar performances to the Portland cement.