Top 5 Raw Materials for Cement

Cement is considered a useful ingredient in most construction projects. Especially when it comes to creating structures that are robust and durable. Zooming in a bit further, it consists of five different raw materials - each of which we will cover in this guide.

The raw materials for cement have been carefully blended to help cement achieve its desired properties. To know what’s inside of cement will give you an idea of what you’re mixing together with concrete and how it can achieve the desirable outcomes you want for any project. Let’s take a deeper dive into this list of raw materials now.

1. Limestone

This is one of the primary raw materials for cement used in the production process. Limestone is a sedimentary rock that consists of calcium carbonate. They are often extracted in quarries around the world - albeit in massive quantities.

The extracted limestone soon gets crushed into smaller fragments in order to facilitate the process. The calcium carbonate will undergo a transformation in a high temperature environment. From there, the limestone will break down into quicklime (also known as calcium dioxide) and carbon dioxide.

This process is known as calcination. As a result, this will form the clinker, which is a useful element in manufacturing cement.

2. Clay or Shale

Next, we’ll take a look at clay or shale. This ingredient is included to complement the limestone while the cement manufacturing process is ongoing. Like limestone, clay or chale is sourced from quarries.

The materials that are found in this ingredient include iron, aluminum silicates, and various minerals. For its part, clay or shale will be key to cement’s chemical composition. When blended with limestone, clay and shale will create proportions to create a raw mix.

Once mixed, it will go through a processing stage that will create a powder, which is crucial for the latter stages in cement production.

3. Silica, Alumina, and Iron Ore

Now, we will be taking a look at the supplementary materials that exist. To start, we take a look at three in particular: silica, alumina, and iron ore. These materials will often be excellent contributors to the production process.

The materials are carefully chosen so the desired characteristics are achieved - namely strength and durability. So what are the differences between the three? Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Silica

This is found in sand form and is a source for silicon dioxide - which is used as a fluxing agent during the kiln process. This is designed to enhance the molten materials’ fluidity and makes it easier to form the desired minerals in the clinker. 

Alumina

This material is sourced from bauxite. It is responsible for adding strength to the cement along with its resistance to environmental conditions that will be harsh. This includes but is not limited to various weather conditions.

Iron ore

This is a form of iron oxide which also serves as a fluxing agent along with silica. This will also facilitate the fusion of raw materials during the kiln process. Iron ore also helps create that distinctive color to the cement while contributing to its final properties.

With the inclusion of these supplementary materials, it makes the cement better in quality while making sure it achieves the desired performance attributes.

3. Gypsum

Gypsum is a sulfate mineral. It plays a role in regulating the setting time of the cement. A small percentage of this material is added to the final version of cement to ensure a substantial impact. It will only be added during the final grinding process, which is one step away from the packaging and shipping phase. 

Gypsum slows down the setting time of cement. Without it, the cement would dry fast and it would be considered impractical for use. Because of its slowed abilities, it will give builders more flexibility to work with the material - providing them with a smooth and efficient process.

Gypsum is another material that will contribute to cement’s overall durability. The good news is that there’s only just enough of it for the cement itself to function properly while giving itself plenty of time to dry while forming itself to provide you with solid, durable support for your construction project.

4. Fly Ash or Slag

In today’s day of age, environmental sustainability is often considered a priority. Especially when many are looking at completing construction projects by eco-friendly means. As such, cement manufacturers are looking to incorporate different materials to ensure that cement is more environmentally sustainable compared to ages past. 

Fly ash and slag are considered two excellent ingredients. While fly ash comes from coal combustion, slag is a by-product of the metallurgical industry. Typically, they are used as replacements for traditional raw materials.

Nonetheless, they are supplementary materials that will help with the cement’s strength and durability. At the same time, it reduces the need for any primary raw materials that are seen as resource-intensive. By incorporating fly ash or slag, it will align with the principles of sustainable development.

Thus, using industrial by-products that may otherwise end up in landfills, manufacturers are doing their part to reduce the amount of waste and environmental pollution - giving construction industries a path to become more environmentally responsible.

Sustainable construction practices can be seen as an excellent alternative to the past formulation of cement and similar materials. Not only will the durability and quality be better in the long-haul, it will also save the environment and even money for yourself.

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