The effect of wet-grinding phosphorus slag on the hydration kinetics of Portland cement

Abstract

In the study, the influencing factors of wet-grinding phosphorus slag (PS) and reaction kinetics on the early hydration of Portland cement were investigated. The results indicated that wet-grinding could decrease fineness efficiently while it enhanced the dissolution of phosphorus elements in PS slurry. The incorporation of PS led to lengthening the setting time for cement-based samples but the rising tendency was cut down. The Krstulovic–Dabic model could well explore the hydration process of the paste samples mixed with wet-grinding PS, but not simulate the paste incorporated with raw PS. Moreover, wet-grinding enhanced the hydration degree and rate in the nucleation and crystal growth stage, while it may shorten the duration time of the phase boundary reaction stage and decrease the hydration rate in the diffusion reaction stage. The research afforded a theoretical basis for using wet-grinding phosphorus slag as an admixture that would be eco-friendly and cost-effective. Based on the evaluation of the benefits, the wet-grinding treatment of PS and utilization of the PS slurry to replace cement could reconcile economic feasibility with environmental benefit and was an innovative approach to the reuse of PS.