Exploring the effect of self-combustion gangue powder particle distribution on rheological behavior and hydration mechanism in cement-based systems

Abstract

Solid waste-based mineral admixtures are widely employed as a partial replacement for Portland cement due to their superior performance and minimal carbon and environmental footprint. This study involves the production of self-combustion gangue powder (SCGP) with varying particle sizes achieved through crushing, screening, and grinding. The SCGP is subsequently blended with cement to form a self-combustion gangue powder-cement (SCGP-C) system with diverse particle size distribution. Rheological tests and hydration exothermic tests were conducted to investigate the rheological behavior and degree of hydration of the SCGP-C mixed system. The results show that SCGP enhances the plastic viscosity and thixotropy of the mixed slurry. However, when a finer SCGP (d50=1.36 μm) was used to replace 15 % of the cement for the same mass, the yield stress and rheological index of the slurry were reduced by 28.1 % and 15.4 % respectively compared to the control group, while the closed-packing of the SCGP-C system was obtained. When the cement was replaced by 15 % SCGP (mass substitution), the yield stresses of finer and coarser SCGP (d50=18.24 μm) and pure cement slurries were increased by 289.1 %, 67.3 %, and 29.2 %, respectively, at T=60 min compared to T=0 min. This suggests that the fineness of SCGP has a greater effect on the yield stresses of mixed slurries over time. Mixed slurries with different finenesses of SCGP all prolonged the hydration induction period and reduced the total exothermic heat of hydration. Incorporating 15 % finer SCGP extended the induction period of the mixed slurry by 27 min and increased the peak value of the main hydration curve. Appropriate incorporation of SCGP helps to improve the fluidity and early strength of mortar in the SCGP-C system and promotes the physical filling effect and the positive role of SCGP volcanic ash in the cement system.