Investigation of mechanical activation effect on high-volume natural pozzolanic cements
Abdul Vahap Korkmaz, Hüseyin Fırat KAYIRAN
Abstract
Abstract Mechanical activation is one of the most preferred methods to increase the reactivity of mineral, mining, and industrial wastes or materials with low pozzolanic content in cement production. The mechanical activation process of such materials takes a long time and requires high grinding energy. Although it seems like an advantage to using the materials in cement production by gaining reactivity thanks to mechanical activation, mechanical activation is a long duration and expensive process, causing an increase in cement production costs. In this study, a hybrid method is proposed for the mechanical activation of materials in a shorter duration and with lower energy consumption. A roller press and a hammer grinder were integrated before the laboratory type ball mill to realize the mechanical activation processes. To perform the mechanical activation processes in this way, two different hybrid grinding methods were tested and compared. Both methods activated volcanic tuff samples with low pozzolanic properties were investigated particle microstructures, energy consumption differences, mechanical activation durations and their effects on the cement performance, and mortar microstructures. The hybrid grinding method integrated with roller press and ball mill was determined to be the best mechanical activation method.