Mechanical evaluation and hydration kinetics of cement pastes with dolomitic filler

Abstract

Abstract The scarcity of high-purity limestone subjects the cement industry to consider alternative supplementary cementitious materials for cement production. This research aimed to investigate the mechanical properties and the hydration kinetics of cement pastes in the presence of high levels and different fineness of dolomite, especially the formation of thaumasite. A dolomite filler with 20% magnesium oxide, with average diameters of 10 µm, 6 µm and 4 µm was used as a partial replacement for Portland cement at 0%, 15% and 35% in cement pastes cured at 5 ºC and 20 ºC. The results of compressive strength showed similarities in all pastes analyzed, but the fineness of the dolomite showed a significant difference between the strengths obtained. The isothermal calorimetry indicated that the presence of dolomite had a nucleation and dilution effect. The thermogravimetry revealed that dependent of the substitution levels, the pastes with dolomite presented significant differences in the amount of ettringite and carbonate phases. The mineralogical analysis detected the presence of thaumasite only at the temperature of 20 ºC, which this mineral can also form at higher temperatures than those reported in the literature. Finally, we conclude positively about the possibility of using dolomite in cementitious matrices at levels up to 35%, regardless of fineness and curing temperature.