The properties of Portland cement are directly related to the concentrations of its major phases, i.e., alite, belite, the ferritic phase and the aluminate phase. Alite, with the composition 3CaO.SiO2, known as C3S, should be the major component of the clinker after processing, once its hydration produces the high yield strengths of cured cement. Belite, with the composition 2CaO.SiO2, known as C2S, is the first lime and silica complex, formed during the heating process. It presents higher stability at low temperatures than C3S, so that it tends to be formed again during the cooling cycle, from the decomposition of alite. The aluminate phase appears mainly with the composition 3CaO.Al2O3, known as C3A, and the ferritic phase appears with the composition 4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O 3, known as C4AF. However, the ferrite and alumina contents affect the alite stability, and consequently, its reactivity. This paper studies the effects of Fe2O3 and Al2O3 additions over the alite stability and presents CCT diagrams for the alite decomposition in the presence of these compounds.
Cement; alite decmoposition; Fe and Al effects
