Comprehensive activity analysis of silicacontaining raw materials for use in mechanical activation efficiency evaluations

Abstract

The matrix formed predominantly at the hardening of binders through various physical and chemical mechanisms, with the consolidation of all material components into a single high-strength conglomerate, represents a key element in the structure of any composite, ensuring its basic quality. The use of mineral additives, represented mainly by silica-containing raw materials with high pozzolanic activity, as fillers or modifiers allows producing a consolidating binder that is required to obtain materials with the desired properties. Natural raw materials with a stable composition and consistent properties may be modified to increase their dispersion and activity. Mechanical activation in grinding machines is the most effective of all modification methods. The degree of variation in the properties of any substance mainly depends on the typomorphic parameters of the material being ground. Since the resulting mechanically activated substance is to be further used in mineral binder systems, its activity may be regarded as a key quality indicator for the respective ground raw materials. The purpose of this work was to conduct a comprehensive activity assessment for mineral components with various compositions and structures following their mechanical activation by various methods. The set of physical and mechanical properties analyzed included grain-size distribution, dispersion, sorption capacity, concentration of active centers, and surface energy. Common raw materials, such as sand, granite, opoka rock, and perlite, were studied. The dependence is shown between the degree of mechanicalactivation of a substance and its resulting physical and mechanical properties. The following efficiency rating may be compiled for the grinding types based on the activity generated: wet grinding → dry grinding → grinding to obtain a mineral suspension.The study was carried out under the grant issued by the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 19-19-00263) using the equipment of the Center for High Technologies of the Belgorod State Technological University named after V. G. Shukhov.