Evaluation of characterization techniques for selecting kaolinitic clays as supplementary cementitious materials: An interlaboratory study

Journal of the American Ceramic Society, vol. 108

Abstract

Abstract Calcined clays are a crucial asset to decarbonize the cement industry. Still, the natural variation of the composition of the clays means that each clay needs to be assessed for its suitability to be activated and used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). This paper analyzes a potential minimum characterization workflow to screen clays based on mineralogical and physical properties so as to predict their potential performance after activation in cements. We investigate and discuss various characterization techniques (x‐ray fluorescence, thermogravimetric analysis, x‐ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy) to assess the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of nine raw clay samples of industrial interest at four different laboratories. The results show that although XRF and TGA are important to obtain a first assessment of the clays, a mineralogy study is necessary to assess the order of crystallinity of the clays, the presence of 2:1 clay minerals, and other minerals that impact both the activation process and the performance of the activated clay as an SCM.

Authors 9

1. Mehnaz Dhar corresponding

   Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Delhi India

   Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, India

2. Tafadzwa Ronald Muzenda Aachen Institute of Building Materials Research

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Building Materials Research RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany

   Institute of Building Materials Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

3. Yannick Demeusy

   Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université de Bourgogne · Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne

   Affiliation as printed

   ICB UMR 6303 CNRS Université de Bourgogne Dijon France

4. Anastasia Koutsouradi

   Technical University of Denmark

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Chemical Engineering Technical University of Denmark Lyngby Denmark

   Department of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark

5. Peter Arendt Jensen

   Technical University of Denmark

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Chemical Engineering Technical University of Denmark Lyngby Denmark

   Department of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark

6. Christophe Labbez

   Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université de Bourgogne · Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne

   Affiliation as printed

   ICB UMR 6303 CNRS Université de Bourgogne Dijon France

7. Shashank Bishnoi

   Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Delhi India

   Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, India

8. Fabien Georget Aachen Institute of Building Materials Research

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Building Materials Research RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany

   Institute of Building Materials Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

9. Thomas Matschei Aachen Institute of Building Materials Research

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Building Materials Research RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany

   Institute of Building Materials Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany