The effect of utilization of different types of clinker grinding aids on the properties of cement systems

In this thesis, the effects of the type and utilization ratio of amine and glycol-based grinding aids (GA), which are widely used in the industry, on energy efficiency, cement particle size distribution, fresh state, rheological, and some hardened state properties of cementitious systems were investigated. In addition, another aim of the study is to improve the grinding efficiency and performance of the commonly used triethanolamine in cementitious systems by developing the esterification method. Therefore, a total of 7 different GA, two of which are modified triethanolamine, were used in the clinker grinding stage at the rate of 0.025%, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 of the total weight of clinker and gypsum. Thus, in addition to the control cement containing that does not contain GA, the number of 28 CEM I 42.5R type cement with GA were produced. In all types of cement, grinding time and consumed energy were measured to obtain the target Blaine fineness value of 4100±100 cm2/g. Marsh funnel flow time, setting time, and rheological parameters of paste mixtures were measured. In the mortar mixtures, the water reducing admixture requirement, consistency retention performance, and compressive strengths at the ages of 1, 3, 7, and 28 days were compared for the target slump-flow value. In terms of grinding efficiency, it was understood that the order of GA is triisopropanolamine > modified triethanolamine-2 > diethyleneglycol > modified triethanolamine-1 > diethanoltriisopropanolamine > ethyleneglycol > triethanolamine. Regardless of the type of GA, it was determined that rheological parameters were negatively affected by the increase in utilization ratio. It was observed that the GA utilization reduces the setting time of the mixtures. It was determined that the consistency retention performance and 28-day compressive strength of the mixtures were positively affected, while the admixture requirement for the target slump value increased with the addition of GA. In terms of all properties, it was found that the modified triethanolamine-2 GA performed the best. In addition, it was determined that the 0.025% utilization ratio gave better results in terms of properties of cementitious systems, although lower performance in terms of grinding efficiency compared to high utilization ratios.