HYDRAULIC BINDER WITH LOW CLINKER CONTENT
The invention relates to a hydraulic binder with low clinker content, its preparation
and its use.
A hydraulic binder is a material which sets and hardens by hydration, for example
a cement. Most conventional hydraulic compositions comprise Portland cement (which
itself comprises Portland clinker and calcium sulfate). The main role of the calcium
sulfate is to optimize the early age compressive strength. However, the calcium sulfate
has little or no effect on compressive strength in the long term.
A known problem of conventional hydraulic compositions is the high emission level
of C0 2 during their manufacture, mainly during the manufacture of Portland clinker. A
known solution to the problem of C0 2 emission is to replace a portion of the Portland
clinker in hydraulic compositions with other inorganic materials. Consequently, hydraulic
compositions with low clinker content have a high mass ratio C/K in which C is the
quantity of binder and K is the quantity of clinker, the quantity of binder corresponding to
the sum of the clinker and other inorganic materials. One of the most commonly used
inorganic materials to replace part of the Portland clinker is slag, and particularly ground
granulated blast-furnace slag.
A known problem of hydraulic compositions having a high C/K ratio, and
particularly those comprising slag, is a loss of early age compressive strength which is
generally measured 24 hours after the hydraulic composition has been mixed with
water.
A known solution to solve the problem of loss of early age compressive strength is
to add alkali metal salts to the hydraulic composition. However, the drawback of this
solution is to decrease long-term compressive strength which is generally measured 28
days after the hydraulic composition has been mixed with water.
It is thus desirable to find another way to increase early age compressive strength
of hydraulic compositions having a high C/K ratio, while preventing a reduction of longterm
compressive strength.
Unexpectedly, the inventors have demonstrated that it is possible to use alkali
metal salts in combination with calcium sulfate in predetermined quantities to retain, or
even enhance, the early age compressive strength (24 hours after the hydraulic
composition has been mixed) and the long-term compressive strength (28 days after the
hydraulic composition has been mixed) of a hydraulic composition having a high C/K
ratio and comprising slag.
The present invention seeks to provide new hydraulic binders and compositions
with a high C/K ratio which have one or more of the following characteristics:
good early compressive strength 24 hours after the hydraulic composition has been
mixed with water, while making it possible to retain, or even enhance, compressive
strength 28 days after the hydraulic composition has been mixed;
as the quantity of clinker is less than that of ordinary concrete, particularly C25/30
concrete, reduced C0 2 emissions related to the fabrication of the hydraulic composition
(A C25/30 concrete is a concrete according to the EN 206-1 standard, whose
characteristic compressive strength 28 days after mixing, measured on a 16 cm x 32 cm
cylinder, is at least 25 MPa, and measured on a 15 cm x 15 cm cube, is at least 30
MPa);
Increased long-term compressive strength (28 days after mixing) relative to an addition
of calcium sulfate alone;
a good compromise between early age and long-term compressive strength, in contrast
to hydraulic compositions of the prior art, which often have a positive effect on the
compressive strength of one period of time (24 hours or 28 days after mixing), but have
a negative effect on the compressive strength of the other term (respectively 28 days or
24 hours after mixing);
the absence of an adverse effect on the rheology of the hydraulic compositions.
The present invention accordingly provides a hydraulic binder comprising, in parts
by mass:
(a) from 20 to 60 parts of Portland clinker;
(b) . from 20 to 40 parts of slag;
(c) . from 0 to 60 parts of inorganic material other than the clinker and slag;
the sum of (a), (b) and (c) being equal to 100 parts;
which binder further comprises a slag activator comprising (for example consisting of),
relative to 100 parts of the sum of (a) and (b):
from 1.4 to 6.55 parts of alkali metal salt, expressed as equivalent-Na 20 ; and
from 1.1 to 11.0 parts of calcium sulfate, expressed as S0 3.
Preferably, the hydraulic binder comprises from 20 to 55, more preferably from 20
to 50 parts of Portland clinker.
Portland clinker is obtained by clinkering at high temperature a mixture comprising
limestone and, for example, clay. It is defined in terms of cement in the NF EN 197-1
standard.
Preferably, the Blaine specific surface of the Portland clinker (which is preferably
ultrafine) used in the present invention is greater than or equal to 5500, more preferably
greater than or equal to 6000, most preferably greater than or equal to 6500 cm2/g.
Portland clinker may be ground and optionally separated (for example with a
dynamic separator) in order to obtain a clinker having for example a Blaine specific
surface greater than or equal to 5500 cm2/g. The clinker may be, for example, ground in
two steps. In a first step, the clinker can first be ground to a Blaine specific surface of
3500 to 4000 cm2/g. A high-efficiency separator, referred to as second or third
generation, may be used in this first step to separate the clinker having the desired
fineness and the clinker needing to be returned to the grinder. In a second step, the
clinker may first go through a very high efficiency separator, referred to as very high
fineness (VHF) in order to separate the clinker particles having a Blaine specific surface
greater than or equal to 5500 cm2/g and the clinker particles having a Blaine specific
surface less than 5500 cm2/g. The clinker particles having a Blaine specific surface
greater than or equal to 5500 cm2/g may be used as they are. The clinker particles
having a Blaine specific surface less than 5500 cm2/g may be ground until the required
Blaine specific surface has been achieved. The grinders which can be used in the two
steps include, for example, a ball mill, a vertical mill, a roller press, a horizontal mill (for
example a Horomill©) or a stirred vertical grinder (for example a Tower Mill).
Preferably, the hydraulic binder according to the present invention comprises less
than 40, for example 20 to 39.5, more preferably 20 to 35 parts of slag.
The slag is preferably blast furnace slag, for example ground granulated blast
furnace slag. Preferably, the slag has a Blaine specific surface greater than or equal to
3000 cm2/g.
The fineness of the slag may be increased, for example to 10400 cm2/g of Blaine
specific surface or more, for example to 11000 cm2/g in order to allow a reduction in the
quantity of slag used while retaining an equivalent performance, particularly
compressive strength.
Preferably, the hydraulic binder according to the present invention comprises from
5 to 60, more preferably from 10 to 60 parts of inorganic material.
The inorganic materials used in the hydraulic binders of the invention are generally
mineral materials in the form of particles having a Dv90 less than or equal to 200 mhi ,
and preferably a Dv97 less than or equal to 200 mhi . The mineral materials can be
natural or derived from industrial processes. They include materials which are inert or
have low hydraulic or pozzolanic properties. They preferably do not have a negative
impact on the water demand of the hydraulic binders, on the compressive strength of the
hydraulic compositions, and/or on the anti-corrosion protection of reinforcements.
Hydraulic binders and hydraulic compositions comprise several different
components having various sizes. It can be advantageous to seek to associate
components whose respective sizes complement one another, that is, for the
components with the smallest particles to be able to sandwich themselves between the
components with the largest particles. For example, the inorganic materials used in the
present invention can be used as filling materials, which means that they can fill the
voids between the other components whose particles have larger sizes.
Preferably, the inorganic materials used according to the present invention are
mineral additions. Mineral additions are, for example, pozzolans (for example as defined
in the "cement" standard NF EN 197-1 standard, paragraph 5.2.3), fly ash (for example
as defined by the "cement" NF EN 197-1 standard, paragraph 5.2.4), calcined shales
(for example as defined by the "cement" NF EN 197-1 standard, paragraph 5.2.5),
calcium carbonate (for example limestone as defined by the "cement" NF EN 197-1
standard, paragraph 5.2.6), silica fume (for example as defined by the "cement" NF EN
197-1 standard, paragraph 5.2.7), metakaolin or mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the inorganic materials do not comprise fly ash.
If the inorganic material is fly ash, then the quantity of alkali metal salts is
preferably less than or equal to 4.5 parts, expressed as parts by mass of equivalent-
Na20 relative to 100 parts by mass of Portland clinker and slag.
Preferably, the inorganic material comprises calcium carbonate, for example
limestone, particularly crushed and/or ground limestone.
Although the inorganic material may comprise a binding material, the optimization
(particularly in terms of cost) of the hydraulic compositions according to the invention
leads to a preference for the inorganic materials being inert fillers, that is, non-binding
materials (without hydraulic or pozzolanic activity).
Preferably, the alkali metal salt is a sodium, potassium or lithium salt or a mixture
thereof, more preferably a sodium salt.
The anion in the alkali metal salt is preferably sulfate. The alkali metal salt is
preferably sodium sulfate.
The alkali metal salt is preferably non-hygroscopic. The alkali metal salt is
preferably not an alkali metal hydroxide: the hydroxides can be hazardous to health and,
in powder form, are hygroscopic which leads to undesirable absorption of moisture from
the air which would cause the binder of the invention to go pasty.
Preferably, the quantity of alkali metal salt is from 1.5 to 6 parts, more preferably
from 2 to 5.5 parts, most preferably from 2.5 to 4.5 parts, expressed as parts by mass of
equivalent-Na 20 relative to 100 parts of Portland clinker and slag.
Alkali metal salt already present in the clinker must not be taken into account to
determine the quantity of alkali metal salt used according to the present invention.
Added alkali metal salt alone is to be considered.
Calcium sulfate used according to the present invention includes gypsum (calcium
sulfate dihydrate, CaS0 4.2H20), hemi-hydrate (CaS0 .1/2H20), anhydrite (anhydrous
calcium sulfate, CaS0 ) or a mixture thereof. The gypsum and anhydrite exist in the
natural state. Calcium sulfate produced as a by-product of certain industrial processes
may also be used.
Preferably, the quantity of calcium sulfate used according to the present invention
is from 2 to 10 parts, more preferably from 3 to 9 parts, expressed as parts by mass of
S0 3 relative to 100 parts of Portland clinker and slag.
The present invention also provides a hydraulic composition comprising a
hydraulic binder according to the invention, aggregate and water, preferably:
- 1 part by mass of the hydraulic binder according to the present invention;
- from 2 to 10 parts by mass of aggregate; and
- from 0.25 to 0.7 parts by mass of effective water.
The hydraulic compositions of the invention include both fresh and hardened
compositions, for example a cement slurry, a mortar or a concrete.
The composition may also comprise an admixture, for example in accordance with
the EN 934-2, EN 934-3 or EN 934-4 standards, and optionally mineral additions.
Aggregates used in the compositions of the invention include sand (whose
particles generally have a maximum size (Dmax) of less than or equal to 4 mm), and
gravel (whose particles generally have a minimum size (Dmin) greater than 4 mm and a
Dmax less than or equal to 20 mm or more).
The aggregates include calcareous, siliceous, and silico-calcareous materials. They
include natural, artificial, waste and recycled materials. The aggregates may also
comprise, for example, wood.
The effective water is the water required to hydrate the hydraulic binder and to
provide fluidity of a hydraulic composition obtained in the fresh state. The total water
represents the totality of the water present in the mix (at the time of mixing) and
comprises the effective water and the water absorbable by the aggregates. Effective
water and its calculation is discussed in the EN 206-1 standard, page 17, paragraph
3.1 .30.
The quantity of absorbable water is deduced from the coefficient of absorption of
the aggregates measured according to the NF EN 1097-6 standard, page 6 paragraph
3.6 and the associated annex B. The absorption coefficient of water is the ratio of the
increase in mass of a sample of aggregates, initially dry then submerged during 24
hours in water, relative to its dry mass, because of the water penetrating in the pores
accessible to the water.
The hydraulic compositions according to the invention preferably also comprise a
concrete admixture, for example an accelerator, an air-entraining agent, a viscosity
modifying agent, a retarder, a clay inertant, a plasticizer and/or a superplasticizer. In
particular, it is useful to include a polycarboxylate superplasticizer, in particular from
0.05 to 1.5%, preferably from 0.1 to 0.8%, by mass.
Clay inertants are compounds which permit the reduction or prevention of the
harmful effect of clays on the properties of hydraulic binders. Clay inertants include
those described in WO 2006/032785 and WO 2006/032786.
The term superplasticizer as used in this specification and the accompanying
claims is to be understood as including both water reducers and superplasticizers as
described in the Concrete Admixtures Handbook, Properties Science and Technology,
V.S. Ramachandran, Noyes Publications, 1984.
A water reducer is defined as an additive which reduces the amount of mixing
water of concrete for a given workability by typically 10 - 15%. Water reducers include,
for example lignosulphonates, hydroxycarboxylic acids, carbohydrates, and other
specialized organic compounds, for example glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium
alumino-methyl-siliconate, sulfanilic acid and casein.
Superplasticizers belong to a new class of water reducers chemically different
from the normal water reducers and capable of reducing water contents by about 30%.
The superplasticizers have been broadly classified into four groups: sulphonated
naphthalene formaldehyde condensate (SNF) (generally a sodium salt); sulphonated
melamine formaldehyde condensate (SMF); modified lignosulfonates (MLS); and others.
More recent superplasticizers include polycarboxylic compounds such as
polycarboxylates, e.g. polyacrylates. The superplasticizer is preferably a new generation
superplasticizer, for example a copolymer containing polyethylene glycol as graft chain
and carboxylic functions in the main chain such as a polycarboxylic ether. Sodium
polycarboxylate-polysulphonates and sodium polyacrylates may also be used.
Phosphonic acid derivatives may also be used. The amount of superplasticizer required
generally depends on the reactivity of the cement. The lower the reactivity the lower the
amount of superplasticizer required. In order to reduce the total alkali content the
superplasticizer may be used as a calcium rather than a sodium salt.
The present invention also provides a process for preparing a hydraulic
composition according to the present invention which process comprises contacting a
hydraulic binder according to the invention, aggregate and water.
Mixing may be effected, for example, by known methods.
The different components of the hydraulic composition according to the present
invention may be added together or separately.
In one embodiment of the invention the hydraulic binder is prepared during a first
step, and the aggregates and water are added during a second step.
It is also possible to use a CEM l-type cement in accordance with the EN 197-1
standard which comprises Portland clinker and calcium sulfate, or a blended cement
which may comprise Portland clinker, calcium sulfate, and a mineral addition, such as
slag and/or fly ash and/or limestone. If a CEM l-type cement or a blended cement are
used, the respective quantities of each of the components must thus be adjusted in
order to obtain the hydraulic binder or the hydraulic composition according to the
present invention.
The hydraulic composition according to the present invention may be shaped to
produce, after hydration and hardening a shaped article for the construction field. Such
shaped articles also constitute a feature of the invention. Components for the
construction field include, for example, a slab, a floor, a screed, a foundation, a base, a
shear wall, a beam, a work top, a pillar, a bridge pier, a block of foamed concrete, a
pipe, a conduit, a post, a stair, a panel, a cornice, a mold, a road system component (for
example a border of a pavement), a roof tile, a surfacing (for example of a road), a
jointing plaster (for example for a wall) and an insulating component (acoustic and/or
thermal).
The present invention also provides the use, to increase the compressive strength
24 hours after mixing and/or 28 days after mixing of a hydraulic composition which
comprises aggregate, water and
a hydraulic binder comprising, in parts by mass:
(a) from 20 to 60 parts of Portland clinker;
(b) from 20 to 40 parts of slag; and
(c) from 0 to 60 parts of inorganic material other than the clinker and the slag;
the sum of (a), (b) and (c) being equal to 100 parts;
of a slag activator comprising 1.4 to 6.55 parts of alkali metal salts, expressed as
equivalent-Na 20 , and 1.1 to 11.0 parts of calcium sulfate, expressed as S0 3, all parts
being by mass and relative to 100 parts of Portland clinker and of slag.
In this specification, including the accompanying claims:
The Dv97 is the 97th percentile of the size distribution of the particles, by volume;
that is, 97% of the particles have a size that is less than or equal to Dv97 and 3% of the
particles have a size that is greater than Dv97. The Dv50 is defined in a similar manner.
Particle size distributions and particle sizes less than about 200 mhi are as measured
using a Malvern MS2000 laser granulometer. Measurement is effected in ethanol. The
light source consists of a red He-Ne laser (632 nm) and a blue diode (466 nm). The
optical model is that of Mie and the calculation matrix is of the polydisperse type.
The apparatus is checked before each working session by means of a standard
sample (Sifraco C10 silica) for which the particle size distribution is known.
Measurements are performed with the following parameters: pump speed
2300rpm and stirrer speed 800rpm. The sample is introduced in order to establish an
obscuration between 10 and 20%. Measurement is effected after stabilisation of the
obscuration. Ultrasound at 80% is first applied for 1 minute to ensure the deagglomeration
of the sample. After about 30s (for possible air bubbles to clear), a
measurement is carried out for 15s (15000 analysed images). Without emptying the cell,
measurement is repeated at least twice to verify the stability of the result and elimination
of possible bubbles.
All values given in the description and the specified ranges correspond to average
values obtained with ultrasound.
Particle sizes greater than 200 mhi are generally determined by sieving.
The BET specific surface of powders is measured as follows. A sample of powder
of the following mass is taken: 0.1 to 0.2 g for an estimated specific surface of more than
30 m2/g; 0.3 g for an estimated specific surface area of 10-30 m2/g; 1 g for an estimated
specific surface area of 3-10 m2/g; 1.5 g for an estimated specific surface area of 2-
3 m2/g; 2 g for an estimated specific surface area of 1.5-2 m2/g; 3 g for an estimated
specific surface area of 1-1.5 m2/g.
A cell of 3 cm3 or 9 cm3 is used depending on the volume of the sample. The
measurement cell assembly is weighed (cell+glass rod). Then the sample is added to
the cell: the product must not be less than one millimeter from the top of the throat of the
cell. The assembly is weighed (cell+glass rod+sample). The measurement cell is placed
in a degassing unit and the sample is degassed. Degassing parameters are 30
min/45°C for Portland cement, gypsum, pozzolans; 3 h/200°C for slags, silica fume, fly
ash, alumina cement, limestone; and 4 h/300°C for a control sample of alumina. The cell
is rapidly closed with a stopper after degassing. The assembly is weighed and the result
recorded. All weighing is carried out without the stopper. The mass of the sample is
obtained by subtracting the mass of the cell from the mass of the cell+degassed sample.
Analysis of the sample is then carried out after placing it in the measurement unit.
The analyzer is a Beckman Coulter SA 3100. Measurement is based on the adsorption
of nitrogen by the sample at a given temperature, in this case the temperature of liquid
nitrogen i.e. -196°C. The device measures the pressure of the reference cell in which
the adsorbate is at its saturation vapor pressure and that of the sample cell in which
known volumes of adsorbate are injected. The resulting curve of these measurements is
the adsorption isotherm. In the measurement method, it is necessary to know the dead
space volume of the cell: measurement of this volume is therefore carried out with
helium before the analysis.
The sample mass previously calculated is entered as a parameter. The BET
specific surface is determined by the software by linear regression from the
experimental curve. The reproducibility standard deviation obtained from 10
measurements on a silica of specific surface 21.4 m2/g is 0.07. The reproducibility
standard deviation obtained from 10 measurements on a cement of specific surface
area 0.9 m2/g is 0.02. A control is carried out once every two weeks on a reference
product. Twice yearly, a control is carried out with the control alumina supplied by the
manufacturer.
The Blaine specific surface is determined in accordance with the EN 196-6
standard, paragraph 4 . The Blaine specific surface of a particulate material is
determined by using a measuring apparatus which comprises: a cylindrical measuring
cell with an internal diameter of 12.7±0.1mm;a close-fitting perforated metal disk at the
bottom of the cell; a piston which slides in the measuring cell and which is stopped at a
distance of 15mm ± 1mm from the top surface of the perforated disk to the base of the
piston when the piston is depressed; the piston allows the passage of air; a manometer
which comprises a U-shaped glass tube, one branch of which is attached to the bottom
of the measuring cell, the same branch comprising an engraved line with a further three
engraved lines generally spaced 15, 70 and 110m above it and a T-junction to a side
tube which is connected above the topmost engraved line on the tube via a valve to a
suction means (such as a rubber tube and a suction bulb).
The inner surface of the manometer is wetted with a manometric liquid (for
example dibutyl phthalate). The manometer is then filled with the manometric liquid up
to the lowest engraved line.
A filter paper disk is placed on the perforated disk in the measuring cell; the
sample is placed in the cell; a second filter paper disk is placed on top of the sample
which is then compacted using the piston.
The porosity of the bed of material (e) in the measuring cell is derived from the
mass of material (m in g), the material density (p in g/cm3) , and the total volume of the
bed of compacted material (V in cm3) using the formula: m = p x V x (1-e).
The density of the material is determined using a pycnometer.
The volume of the bed of material is determined by measuring the difference
between the amount of mercury required to fill the empty cell and the amount to fill the
space above the sample to be tested.
The measurement of air permeability is conducted using an amount of material
sufficient to give a bed porosity e = 0.500. With the top of the measuring cell capped the
level of the manometric liquid is adjusted to the highest engraved line using the suction
means and valve. The cap is then removed to allow air to permeate through the bed of
test material. As air flows through the bed the level of the manometric liquid falls. The
time (t) for the liquid to fall from the third engraved line to the second is measured. The
procedure is carried out at 20±2°C and a relative humidity of £65%. The temperature for
each measurement is measured and an average value taken.
The procedure is carried out on a second sample of material, twice for each
sample. The procedure is also carried out on three samples of a reference material of
known Blaine specific surface.
The Blaine specific surface S) of the material is calculated using the formula:
in which:
S o = surface mass of the reference material (cm2/g),
e = porosity of the material tested,
e0
= porosity of the reference material
t = average time measured for the tested material (s)
to = average of the three times measured for the reference material (s)
P = density of the test material (g/cm3) ,
Po = density of the reference material (g/cm3) ,
n = viscosity of air at the test temperature for the tested material (Pa)
o = viscosity of air at the test temperature for the reference material (Pa)
In this specification, including the accompanying claims, percentages and parts
are by mass, unless otherwise specified.
The following non-limiting Examples illustrate the invention.
EXAMPLES
Materials
Cement : two CEM I 52.5 cements were used (supplier Lafarge Ciment -Saint-
Pierre La Cour, referred to as "SPLC"); one of which had a Blaine specific surface of
7041 cm2/g (Dv97 = 16 mhi ) and the other had a Blaine specific surface of 6543 cm2/g
(Dv97 = 19 m i i) .
Slag : slag from Fos sur Mer (Fos), industrially ground to 3400 cm2/g or
10400 cn g (Blaine) was used.
Inorganic materials : a limestone (BL200, supplier Omya) which had a specific BET
surface of 0.86 m2/g and a methylene blue value MBF of 0.3 g/100 g in accordance with
NF EN 933-9 standard.
Calcium sulfate : an anhydrite I I from the Lafarge quarry of Mazan, ground to a
Dv50 of 6 mhi or 4.5 mhi was used.
Alkali metal salts : Na2S0 4 (anhydrous) in powder form (purity at 99.98%; supplier
VWR).
Admixture : the plasticizer sold under the commercial name Prelom 300
(polycarboxylate supplied by BASF).
Aggregates : (all supplied by Lafarge):
Sand 0/5 R St Bonnet guarry;
Gravel 6.3/10 CC Cassis guarry;
Sand 0/1 R St Bonnet guarry;
Gravel 5/10 Cassis guarry;
(each aggregate is characterized by two figures: the first one corresponds to the
"d" as defined in the XPP 18-545 standard and the second one corresponds to "D" as
defined in the XPP 18-545 standard);
Formulations of hydraulic compositions according to the invention
The formulations which follow in Tables 1 and 2 hereinafter are concrete
compositions according to the invention (Compositions 1 to 9), with the exception of
reference formulations which are controls without sulfates and without alkali metal salts
(Control 1 and Control 2). The materials used were those described above.
The tested concretes were manufactured according to the protocol described
hereinafter:
1) introduction of the aggregates, then of the other powders (cement, slag,
limestone, anhydrite I I and Na2S0 4) in the mixing bowl of a planetary
mixer Rayneri R201 having a drum with a 10 L capacity and a reinforced blade
with a shape of a "sage leaf" having a thickness of 12 mm; the raw materials
are stored at 20°C for at least 24 hours before mixing;
2) mixing at speed 1 for 30 seconds;
3) stopping of the stirring, opening of the protective grid and introduction of the
mixing water comprising the admixture (tempered at 20°C) in a single
operation;
4) closing of the protective grid and restarting of the mixing at speed 1;
5) after 4 minutes of mixing, the mixer is stopped, the mixing having been
completed.
Performances of the concretes according to the invention
The compressive strength of the formulations were measured in accordance with
the EN 12390-3 standard. The compressive strength was measured with cylindrical
samples having a 70-mm diameter and a ratio of height to diameter of 2 , fabricated and
retained in accordance to the EN 12390-2 standard. For compressive strengths at 28
days, the samples were rectified before the measurements according to the EN 12390-3
standard. For compressive strengths at 24 hours, the samples were sulfited before the
measurements in accordance with the sulfur mortar method in accordance to the
EN 12390-3 standard. The press used (Controlab C12004 of 250 kN of class 1) was in
accordance to EN 12390-4 standard. The loading up to compression failure was carried
out at a speed of 3.85 kN/s (namely a speed of 1 MPa/s for a cylindrical sample having
a 70-mm diameter).
The results of the measurements of compressive strength are shown in Tables 1
and 2 hereinafter. These results are the mean deviation of three measurements,
rounded off to the closest tenth.
Table 1: Detail of the compositions and compressive strengths (Rc) of a reference
formulation (Control 1) and of formulations according to the invention (Composition 1,
Composition 2 and Composition 3) comprising a slag having a Blaine specific surface of
3400 cm2/g
All quantities in Tables 1 and 2 , unless otherwise specified, are expressed in
grams.
Each composition described in Table 1 hereinabove further comprises:
- 920 g of sand 0/5 R St Bonnet;
- 920 g of gravel 6.3/10 CC cassis;
- 120 g of cement SPLC (Dv97 = 16 mhi) comprising 117.4 g of Portland clinker,
2.0 g of hemihydrate and 0.6 g of gypsum;
- 120 g of slag Fos 3400 cn g;
- 163.1 g of effective water; and
- 3.1 g of Prelom 300.
According to Table 1 hereinabove, adding calcium sulfate and alkali metal salts to
a composition results in a composition having increased compressive strength 24 hours
after mixing and 28 days after mixing.
Table 2 : Detail of the compositions and compressive strengths (Rc) of a reference
formulation (Control 2) and of formulations according to the invention (Composition 4 ,
Composition 5 , Composition 6 , Composition?, Composition 8 and Composition 9)
comprising a slag having a Blaine specific surface of 10400cm2/g
In Table 1 and Table 2 hereinabove, the quantity of equivalent-Na 20 in grams
was determined according to the following formula:
Na2Oeq = Na20 + (0,658 x K20 ) + (2,08 x Li20 )
wherein Na20 , K20 , and Li20 represent the mass of Na20 , K20 , and Li20 in grams
respectively, brought by the alkali metal salt.
In Table 1 and Table 2 hereinabove, the quantity of S0 3 in grams was determined
by taking into account the fact that, in gypsum, whose chemical formula is CaS0 4.2H20 ,
the mass of S0 3 represents 46.5% of the total mass. Similarly, in the hemi-hydrate,
whose chemical formula is CaS04. 1/2H20 , the mass of S0 3 represents 55.2% of the
total mass. Similarly, in anhydrite, whose chemical formula is CaS0 , the mass of S0 3
represents 58.8% of the total mass.
Each composition described in Table 2 hereinabove further comprises:
- 596 g of sand 0/1 R St Bonnet;
- 271 g of sand 0/5 R St Bonnet;
- 869 g of gravel 5/10 cassis;
- 80 g of slag Fos 10400 cm2/g; and
- 156.4 g of effective water.
According to Table 2 hereinabove, adding calcium sulfate and alkali metal salts to
a composition results in a composition having increased compressive strength 24 hours
after mixing and 28 days after mixing.
Compositions 7 , 8 and 9 comprise alkali metal salts other than Na2S0 4
(respectively Li2S0 , K2S0 and NaCI). In each case, it was possible to obtain
compressive strengths 24 hours after mixing (respectively 7.8, 5.8 and 6.5 MPa) and
28 days after mixing (respectively 31.4, 32.6 and 30.5 MPa) greater than the
compressive strengths of the reference composition Control 2 (2.7 MPa 24 hours after
mixing and 28.6 MPa 28 days after mixing).

CLAIMS
1. Hydraulic binder comprising, in parts by mass:
(a) from 20 to 60 parts of Portland clinker;
(b) from 20 to 40 parts of slag; and
(c) from 0 to 60 parts of inorganic material other than the clinker and the slag;
the sum of (a), (b) and (c) being equal to 100 parts;
which binder further comprises a slag activator comprising, relative to 100 parts of the
sum of (a) and (b):
from 1.4 to 6.55 parts of alkali metal salt, expressed as equivalent-Na 20 ; and
from 1.1 to 11.0 parts of calcium sulfate, expressed as S0 3.
2 . A hydraulic binder according to claim 1, wherein the Blaine specific surface of the
Portland clinker is greater than or equal to 5500 cm2/g.
3 . A hydraulic binder according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the alkali metal salt is sodium
sulfate.
4 . A hydraulic binder according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the inorganic
material comprises a pozzolan, fly ash, calcined shale, calcium carbonate, silica
fume, metakaolin or a mixture thereof.
5 . A hydraulic binder according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the inorganic
material comprises an inert filler.
6 . A hydraulic binder according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , comprising no alkali metal
hydroxide.
7 . A hydraulic binder according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , comprising no fly ash.
8 . A hydraulic composition comprising a hydraulic binder according to any one of claims
1 to 7 , aggregate and water.
9 . A process for preparing a hydraulic composition according to claim 8 , which process
comprises contacting a hydraulic binder according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
aggregate and water.
10. A shaped article for the construction field comprising a hydraulic binder according to
any one of claims 1 to 7 .
11. Use, to increase the compressive strength 24 hours after mixing and/or 28 days after
mixing of a hydraulic composition which comprises aggregate, water and
a hydraulic binder comprising, in parts by mass:
(a) from 20 to 60 parts of Portland clinker;
(b) from 20 to 40 parts of slag; and
(c) from 0 to 60 parts of inorganic material other than the clinker and the slag;
the sum of (a), (b) and (c) being equal to 100 parts;
of a slag activator comprising 1.4 to 6.55 parts of alkali metal salt, expressed as
equivalent-Na 20 , and 1.1 to 11.0 parts of calcium sulfate, expressed as S0 3, all parts
being by mass and relative to 100 parts of Portland clinker and of slag.