SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG

Comprehensive understanding of ­grinding aids

1 (l) The milling media (balls) coated themselves with cement if no grinding aid is used
1 (l) The milling media (balls) coated themselves with cement if no grinding aid is used
2 (r) Grinding aids keep the milling media (balls) clean and increase the productivity
2 (r) Grinding aids keep the milling media (balls) clean and increase the productivity
3 Reaction on the clinker surface (tricalcium silicate, C3S): water molecules (H2O) react with top surface layer oxide ions (O2-) to form hydroxide ions (OH-) [2]
3 Reaction on the clinker surface (tricalcium silicate, C3S): water molecules (H2O) react with top surface layer oxide ions (O2-) to form hydroxide ions (OH-) [2]
4 Diagram of different directional forces on molecules. Surface tension is the effect of one-sided forces on the surface [6]
4 Diagram of different directional forces on molecules. Surface tension is the effect of one-sided forces on the surface [6]
6 The drop shape ­depends on the inter­action between liquid and solid surface
6 The drop shape ­depends on the inter­action between liquid and solid surface
7 Interactions of two TIPA molecules (triisopropanolamine) on dry C3S surface (tricalcium silicate, alite) [1]
7 Interactions of two TIPA molecules (triisopropanolamine) on dry C3S surface (tricalcium silicate, alite) [1]
8 Energetically unfavorable, improbable fracture with partly separated charges
8 Energetically unfavorable, improbable fracture with partly separated charges
9 Fracture without water and grinding aid. The formed surfaces attract each other very strongly
9 Fracture without water and grinding aid. The formed surfaces attract each other very strongly
10 Fracture only with water. The formed surfaces attract each other strongly
10 Fracture only with water. The formed surfaces attract each other strongly
11 Fracture with water and glycerine. The formed surfaces attract each other moderately
11 Fracture with water and glycerine. The formed surfaces attract each other moderately
12 Fracture with water and diethylene glycol (DEG). The formed surfaces attract each other weakly
12 Fracture with water and diethylene glycol (DEG). The formed surfaces attract each other weakly
13 Fracture with water and diisopropanolamine (DIPA). The formed surfaces attract each other very weakly
13 Fracture with water and diisopropanolamine (DIPA). The formed surfaces attract each other very weakly
14 Two triisopropanolamine (TIPA) molecules on hydroxylated (OH−) tricalcium silicate (C3S) surface. For simplification, only top layer of C3S surface is shown
14 Two triisopropanolamine (TIPA) molecules on hydroxylated (OH−) tricalcium silicate (C3S) surface. For simplification, only top layer of C3S surface is shown
15 Adsorption energies of triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, methyl-diisopropanolamine and glycerine on dry and hydroxylated C3S (tricalcium silicate) at 25 °C and 110 °C [2]
15 Adsorption energies of triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, methyl-diisopropanolamine and glycerine on dry and hydroxylated C3S (tricalcium silicate) at 25 °C and 110 °C [2]
16 (l) Two C3S surfaces with an intermediate monolayer of glycerine molecules [2]
16 (l) Two C3S surfaces with an intermediate monolayer of glycerine molecules [2]
17 (r) Two C3S surfaces with an intermediate monolayer of glycerine molecules in separated state; both surfaces are half covered [2]
17 (r) Two C3S surfaces with an intermediate monolayer of glycerine molecules in separated state; both surfaces are half covered [2]
18 Distribution of gylcerine molecules on approximately half covered clinker surface (top view)
18 Distribution of gylcerine molecules on approximately half covered clinker surface (top view)
19 Agglomeration energies of dry and ­hydroxylated C3S as well as hydroxylated C3S with glycerine, triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine and methyl-diisopropanolamine at 90 °C (For numeric values see Table 3) [2]
19 Agglomeration energies of dry and ­hydroxylated C3S as well as hydroxylated C3S with glycerine, triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine and methyl-diisopropanolamine at 90 °C (For numeric values see Table 3) [2]
20 Agglomeration energies of dry and hydroxylated C3A as well as hydroxylated C3A with triisopropanolamine, glycerine, triethanolamine and methyl-diisopropanolamine at 90 °C [11]
20 Agglomeration energies of dry and hydroxylated C3A as well as hydroxylated C3A with triisopropanolamine, glycerine, triethanolamine and methyl-diisopropanolamine at 90 °C [11]
21 PCE (polycarboxylate ether) molecule on hydroxylated clinker (C3S) [12, 19]
21 PCE (polycarboxylate ether) molecule on hydroxylated clinker (C3S) [12, 19]
22 PCE (polycarboxylate ether) molecule between hydroxylated clinker, distance of the two C3S surfaces: 9 Å [12]
22 PCE (polycarboxylate ether) molecule between hydroxylated clinker, distance of the two C3S surfaces: 9 Å [12]
23 PEO (polyethylene oxide) molecule on hydroxylated clinker (C3S) [12]
23 PEO (polyethylene oxide) molecule on hydroxylated clinker (C3S) [12]
Sika Technology Center Zürich all by SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
Sika Technology
Center Zürich
all by SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG

Grinding aids increase the productivity and cost-effectiveness of cement production. A comprehensive experimental test program and a variety of computer simulations were used to determine the physical and chemical mechanisms of action.

1 Introduction

Grinding aids have been used successfully for decades in cement production and many other areas, such as ceramics, pigments etc. The main effect is to reduce energy consumption and increase the grinding efficiency. Additional features can be improved – e.g. powder flowability and strength development of binders. There is surprisingly little verified knowledge about the way in which the substances contained in grinding aids act effectively. There are correspondingly many hypotheses in the scientific literature as well as in industrial practice. Starting from basic physical and...

Find out more in

ZKG 06/2014

Find out more in

ZKG 06/2014

Ressort:  Materials
subscription Content

TEXT Dr. Martin Weibel, Sika Technology AG, Zürich/Switzerland
Dr. Ratan K. Mishra, Institute for Building Materials, ETH Zürich/Switzerland

Related articles:

Issue 02/2010

Modern grinding aids and their influence on the hydraulic properties of GBFS

1 Introduction The use of granulated blastfurnace slag (GBFS) as a major component of cement has become established in cement making in the last decades and has proved a success as an effective method...

more
Issue 12/2019 DALMIA CEMENT BHARAT LTD

Influence of the mineralogy and microstructure of clinker on its grindability – an Indian perspective

1 Introduction Portland cement clinker is a combination of minerals formed during the burning process and solidified from the liquid phase. One of the important properties, which is of significant...

more
Issue 10/2018 PL2980036 (T3)

Method of grinding cement clinker

(22) 28.07.2014 (43) 31.07.2018 (57) Summary of the corresponding patent EP2980036 (A1): Method of grinding cement clinkers comprising at least two kinds of clinker phases with differing grindability,...

more
Issue 03/2025 CHINA RESOURCES CEMENT TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT/GUANGXI COMPANY LIMITED

Effects of sodium butyrate and hydroxyl silicone oil on the grinding performance of the cement grinding aid

1 Introduction With the requirement of the energy consumption decrease and the environment protection, the cement industry has a difficult task of energy saving and carbon reduction. The traditional...

more
Issue 4/2017 AU 2015295865 (A1)

Method for grinding cement clinker

(22) 16.07.2015 (43) 02.02.2017 (57) Method of grinding cement clinkers comprising at least two kinds of clinker phases with differing grindability, comprising the steps: – feeding the cement clinker...

more