Enhanced hydration reaction of synthesized C4A0.81F1.19 with the use of different grinding agents

Tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C₄AF) presents in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as a solid solution phase, as C₄A_xF_2−x (0.7 ≤ x ≤ 1.1). There is a limited understanding of the hydration reactions of C₄AF, particularly regarding the influence of alkanolamines (AA) on C₄AF, which can substantially alter OPC hydration. In this study, synthesized C₄A_0.81F_1.19 was subjected to grinding, using three different AA (triisopropanolamine, ethanol diisopropanolamine, and diethanol isopropanolamine) at dosages of 0, 0.1, and 0.3%. It was experimentally confirmed that the crystal structure of unhydrated C₄AF was partially changed during the grinding process, and the hydration properties of C₄AF were modified. From these results, the compressive strength improved significantly, and the rate of strength enhancement was the highest with 0.1% of diethanol isopropanolamine. More specifically, it was revealed that both Fe and Al sources were proficiently activated, leading to the production of Al/Fe-containing AFm phases and efficiently enhanced mechanical properties.