Methods for Assessing Mechanically Activated Mineral Raw Materials for Composite Binders

Abstract

In the conditions of constantly increasing construction volumes, there is a necessity to transfer to environmentally efficient technologies for the production of building materials in order to reduce industrial pressure on the ecosphere and ensure rational subsoil use. One of the solutions is to reduce cement consumption by using composite binders with a reduced proportion of the clinker component. Improving the quality of composite binders is possible due to the preliminary activation of the surface of raw components. One of the most effective methods of activating raw materials is mechanical activation. A reasonable choice of its method and mode is possible only on the basis of the results of comprehensive studies in the system "the object of mechanical activation – the instrument of mechanical activation – the indicator of mechanical activation – the product of improvement by methods of mechanical activation". A comprehensive determination of the activity of mechanoactivated mineral raw materials as an indicator of the effectiveness of mechanoactivation includes the use of various research methods and evaluation of: the area of the interface boundary, granulometric composition, morphostructural features, sorption capacity, donor-acceptor surface centers, the energy state of the system and other parameters. The paper proposes a decomposition of the methodology for evaluating mineral raw materials from the position of mechanical activation in the production of composite binders. The use of this methodology will make it possible to rank mineral raw materials of natural and technogenic origin, optimize the process of mechanical activation from the point of view of choosing a rational method and develop generalized recommendations for the selection of technological modes of milling, taking into account the genesis of raw materials for obtaining active mineral components of composite binders of various composition, type of hardening and functional purpose. The development and implementation of the principles of rational selection of mineral raw materials components, based on the example of their application in composite binders, will ensure the specified functional properties and implement a predictive assessment of the performance characteristics of building composites as a whole.