Preparation and properties of Portland limestone cements

Abstract

Limestone is a suitable substitute for economically less favourable Portland clinker in Portland blended cements. Limestone in cement not only serves as a very fine filler, but can also act as a reaction component. In this work, the properties of laboratory Portland cements with limestone were studied. The cements were prepared from two limestone types and two clinker types with a graded limestone content of up to 30 wt. %. The limestones had a different CaCO3 content. Clinkers were distinguished by a marked difference in C3A content and hydraulic activity. The effect of limestones on the technological properties of cements, the hydration process and the impact of separate and together grinding of limestone and clinker were studied. In this case, the type of clinker had stronger impact than the type of limestone on the technological parameters. It was also confirmed that a low limestone content has a positive effect on cement hydration.