The influence of the alite polymorphism on the strength of the Portland cement

The influence of the alite polymorphism on the strength of cement was monitored in a set of laboratory-prepared clinkers with equal quantitative phase composition and different ratio of modifications. The alite polymorphism in clinkers was influenced by the change of the MgO and SO3 side oxides in clinker, raw meal reactivity change, raw meal preheating, burning temperature or by the adding of crystallisation nuclei. The differences in the hydraulic properties of the M-1 and M-3 modifications were determined. In the case of all the hydration periods monitored, the strength of cements with the M-1 modification was 10% higher than the strength of cements with the M-3 modification. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.