Effect of Circulating Fluidized Bed Slag Particle Size on Properties of Cement-Based Composite Cementitious Materials

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2026.0038

Abstract

Abstract:

To promote the resource utilization of circulating fluidized bed slag （CFBS） and reduce carbon emissions in the cement industry， this study prepared CFBS with different particle sizes through mechanical grinding and incorporated it as a supplementary cementitious material in cement blends. Firstly， the particle size distribution， specific surface area and microstructure of CFBS with different grinding time were analyzed. Then， the effect of CFBS on the workability and mechanical properties of the composite cementitious materials was investigated. The hydration characteristics of composite cementitious materials were further examined using XRD， TG-DTG， FT-IR， and SEM. The results indicate that CFBS grinding for 45 min has the best refining effect， with a median particle size D₅₀ of 8.69 μm and a specific surface area of 870 m²/kg. Exceeding the optimal grinding time will lead to particle agglomeration and an increase in D₅₀. The reduction of particle size can effectively stimulate the activity of CFBS， enabling the composite cementitious system to exhibit micro-expansion behavior compared to the pure cement system， and achieving better mechanical properties and the shortest setting time at the minimum D₅₀. The reduction in CFBS particle size accelerates the hydration rate of cementitious system and promotes the formation of C-（A）-S-H gel and ettringite， resulting in a denser structure and superior mechanical properties. This study provides reference for the design and performance optimization of composite cementitious materials based on CFBS particle size regulation.

Key words: circulating fluidized bed slag, composite cementitious material, mechanical grinding, particle size, hydration characteristic

CLC Number:

TU528

JING Hongyu, DUAN Siyu, YANG Songqiao, WANG Yonggang, ZHOU Dongdong, LU Guangjun, MA Zhibin. Effect of Circulating Fluidized Bed Slag Particle Size on Properties of Cement-Based Composite Cementitious Materials[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(7): 2335-2346.

Figures/Tables 17

Table 1 Performance of cement

Testing index	Specific surface area/（m²·kg^-1）	Water requirement for standard consistency/%	Setting time/min		Flexural strength/MPa			Compressive strength/MPa
Testing index	Specific surface area/（m²·kg^-1）	Water requirement for standard consistency/%	Initial	Final	3 d	7 d	28 d	3 d	7 d	28 d
Measured value	390	27.5	177	252	5.7	6.3	7.4	27.3	34.3	54.6

Table 2 Chemical composition of raw materials

Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	CaO	SO₃	Fe₂O₃	Na₂O	MgO	K₂O	LOI
OPC	20.30	5.91	58.54	4.14	2.82	0.32	5.25	0.68	2.04
CFBS	45.17	25.31	10.50	4.60	0.25	1.09	1.18	1.35	4.16

Fig.1 XRD patterns of raw materials

Fig.2 Specific surface area and 45 μm sieve residue of CFBS with different grinding time

Fig.3 Particle size distribution of CFBS with different grinding time

Table 3 Specific surface areas and particle size parameters of CFBS with different grinding time

Sample	Grinding time/min	Specific surface area/（m²·kg^-1）	Particle size distribution/%				D₁₀/µm	D₅₀/µm	D₉₀/µm
Sample	Grinding time/min	Specific surface area/（m²·kg^-1）	0~<3 µm	3~<32 µm	32~<65 µm	≥65 µm	D₁₀/µm	D₅₀/µm	D₉₀/µm
CFBS_{15 min}	15	330	6.76	38.21	26.73	28.3	4.22	34.52	100.90
CFBS_{30 min}	30	520	11.24	53.63	25.41	9.72	2.49	19.43	59.40
CFBS_{45 min}	45	870	23.02	64.64	11.42	0.92	1.41	8.69	32.46
CFBS_{60 min}	60	830	20.51	62.90	14.66	1.93	1.45	10.34	37.72

Fig.4 SEM images of CFBS with different grinding time

Fig.5 Fluidity of different composite cementitious

Fig.6 Standard consistency water consumption and setting time of different composite cementitious materials materials

Fig.7 Linear expansion rate of different composite cementitious materials

Fig.8 Mechanical properties of different composite cementitious materials

Fig.9 XRD patterns of different composite cementitious materials

Fig.10 TG-DTG curves of different composite cementitious materials

Table 4 Mass loss of different composite cementitious materials at different temperature ranges

Temperature range/℃	Mass loss/%
Temperature range/℃	OPC	CFBS_{15 min}-OPC	CFBS_{30 min}-OPC	CFBS_{45 min}-OPC	CFBS_{60 min}-OPC
100~200	8.35	12.00	13.29	14.04	13.34
400~500	4.63	2.89	2.74	2.58	2.75
600~750	3.08	3.66	3.58	3.53	3.50

Fig.11 FT-IR spectra of different composite cementitious materials

Fig.12 SEM images of different composite cementitious materials cured for 7， 28 and 90 d

Fig.13 Water absorption rate of different composite cementitious materials

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