Physical-Chemical Characterization and Expansive Behavior in Relation to ASR of Portland Cement, Coarse Silica Fume and Limestone (PC-SF-LS) Ternary Cements

Ternary Portland cements composed of coarse silica fume (SF), limestone (LS), and Portland cement will help to reduce the clinker factor target from 0.78 to 0.60 by 2050 with the aim to be climate neutral. Silica fume (SF) possesses pozzolanic properties that enhance mechanical strength and durability. The physical-chemical properties of the raw materials used to develop the ternary cements are studied in this work. In addition, a physical and chemical characterization of the designed mixtures is carried out considering durability criteria. Empirical information is obtained on the determination of density, setting time, hydration heat, and the potential reactivity of mixtures in relation to alkali-silica reaction. This study shows that, compared to Portland type cement (CEM I), cement pastes with higher silica fume and limestone contents have densities that are around 7% lower. On the other hand, setting time decreases in mixtures containing between 5% and 7% of silica fume, and mixtures containing less than 3% of silica fume have setting times similar to the reference cement. Likewise, the expansion caused by the alkali-silica reaction decreases significantly as we increase the content of silica fume and limestone in all cases. The use of these industrial byproducts, such as cement additions, is crucial because they improve circular economy efficiency and resource efficiency, reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the cement industry, give the sector competitiveness, and improve the performance of the raw materials used in cement.