Quantification of calcium sulpho-aluminate cement by Rietveld analysis

Calcium Sulphoaluminate cements, henceforth called CSACs are used for shrinkage compensation in expansive cements. Much attention has been paid on CSAC's because of low sintering temperature and because of lower demand on limestone compared to manufacturing of Portland cements [1]. These properties are all favorable to environmental protection in view of energy saving and reduction of carbon dioxide emission. In this case a CSAC was sintered from a mixture of lignite fly ash and limestone. The experiments were carried out in an electrical heated laboratory rotary kiln at temperatures in the range of 1000-1300 degrees C. The resulting clinker has the following mineral composition: Ye'elimite (C(4)A(3)(S) over bar), Belite (beta-C2S) and as minor components Anhydrite (CaSO4) and Periclase (MgO). To control the process and the quality of the product quantitative X-ray powder diffraction analysis by Rietveld refinement was carried out.