Role of Monoethylene Glycol in Grinding of Granulated Blast‐Furnace Slag for Sustainable Cement Composites

ABSTRACT In this study, the grinding impact of monoethylene glycol (MEG) in varying amounts (0%, 0.02%, and 0.1%) on ground‐granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was assessed. The mechanical and hydration properties of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) blended with 50 wt.% of GGBFS were also investigated. The inclusion of MEG enhanced the grinding performance of the GGBFS, with a more pronounced effect at higher MEG concentrations. Moreover, MEG somehow altered the hydration reactions of OPC and GGBFS. Although MEG restrained the reactivity of OPC in the first 24 h, it demonstrated an improvement in the later stages. For GGBFS, MEG enhanced the reactivity after 3 days. Consequently, with an increase in the MEG concentration, the mechanical properties improved in the later stages.