Blended systems with calcium aluminate and calcium sulphate expansive additives

The high alumina cements were ground together with special sulphate–lime sinter to produce an expansive additive to Portland cement. This expansive additive in the environment of hydrating cement transforms into the hydrated calcium sulfoaluminate phase known as ettringite at “right time” to give the expansion before the early hardening process is completed. The studies were focused at first on the synthesis of the sulphate–lime sinter and subsequently on the mixture proportions between the basic Portland cement, calcium aluminate cement and sulphate–lime component giving the compensation of shrinkage or expansion effect during the hydration process. The measurements of volume changes of cementitious materials thus produced, followed by the compressive strength tests, rate of hydration determination, phase composition studies and microstructure of hydration products observations have been carried out to find the optimum proportions of blended cementitious material, as the controlled expansion and hardening are concerned.