Acceleration of strength gain in slag-clinker blends by glauberite

In order to increase adequately the amount of slag in blends and to stimulate the latent binding capability of slag, glauberite is used as a new set controlling and strength accelerating agent of cement. This new cement had been put into batch process in China in October 1988 immediately after its invention. In this Paper the prescriptions and properties of the new cement are investigated, and its hydration features are also studied by means of XRD, SEM and the determination of reaction kinetics, as well as other methods. It was found that glauberite: accelerates the formation of AFt and increases AFt content in cement paste; improves the dissolvability of slag; and expedites the hydration of clinker. Therefore this type of cement has a higher early strength.