Influence of the Content of Alkalis (Na2O and K2O), MgO, and SO3 Present in the Granite Rock Fine in the Production of Portland Clinker

Abstract

This work analyzed the technical viability of the use of granite rock fines (GRF) for the manufacture of portland cement. The simultaneous influence of the contents of MgO, SO3, and alkalis (Na2O and K2O) present in the GRF in the formation of the mineralogical phases of the portland clinker was evaluated. Laboratory clinkers with replacement of clay by GRF at contents of 50% and 100% were characterized by X-ray diffraction and used to produce portland cement. Then, the physical–mechanical properties of this cement were evaluated. The addition of GRF replacing 25% and 50% clay increased the content of alite (C3S) in the clinkers and stabilized the C3S M3 and C3A orthorhombic polymorphs due to the presence of MgO and Na2O in their composition. Cements made with replacement contents of 50% and 100% of clay by GRF showed higher compressive strength than reference cement.