Influence of Minor Elements in Clinker on the Properties of Cement: A New Approach for Application to Commercial Cement Manufacturing

Abstract

Cement manufacturers today use various waste materials and by-products as raw materials or fuels in cement manufacturing. Waste materials and by-products, however, often have certain chemical properties that differ from conventional raw materials and fuels. Thus, we have researched the overall influence of several minor elements in clinker on the properties of clinker and cement, and we suggest practical measures for Japanese cement manufacturers to take against the unfavorable influence of each minor element. This article introduces our approach and provides representative results and an example of commercialization. We also discuss further challenges in this field as it moves toward rational cement manufacturing.