Synthesis of microcrystalline brownmillerite Ca2(Al,Fe)2O5 and its influence of mechanical properties to the class G oil-well cement

Abstract

This study investigated the use of calcium oxide (CaO), aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) as raw materials for the production of brownmillerite Ca2(Al,Fe)2O5, after firing at 1330, 1350 and 1370 °C. Lithofacies analysis, SEM/EDS and XRD were used to analyze the phase transition and microstructure of the clinkers during the firing process, and the contents of free calcium oxide (f-CaO) in the clinkers were determined by chemical titration. The results showed that the optimum temperature for the preparation of brownmillerite was 1370 °C (within the selected temperature range). By firing and quenching, microcrystalline brownmillerite (MB) was obtained (crystallinity index was 0.7). Compared with the compressive strength of class G oil-well cement matrix (M0) without MB, the compressive strength of specimens (M4) with 4 wt% MB addition increased by 67, 12, 20 and 33% (after curing for 1, 3, 7 and 14 d, respectively). meanwhile, the elastic modulus of M4 (after curing for 7 d) was reduced by 24% relative to that of M0, indicating that the mechanical properties of M4 were better than that of M0. To investigate the effect of microcrystalline brownmillerite on the strength and toughness of the class G oil-well cement matrix, triaxial testing was used in this study, and the toughening mechanisms were established.