PROPERTIES OF PORTLAND CEMENT PRODUCED USING ARGILLACEOUS SHALE AND METALLURGICAL SLAG

This study presents the results of investigations into the chemical and mineralogical properties of clay shales and metallurgical slags with the aim of producing Portland cement based on these industrial materials. Three-component raw mixtures for Portland cement were designed, and the optimal composition was identified with a lime saturation factor (LSF) of 0.91 and a silica modulus (SM) of 2.3. Following thermal treatment, Portland cement clinker was successfully synthesized, exhibiting the following phase composition: C3S - 58.89 %, C2S - 17.71 %, C3A - 7.14 %, and C4AF - 12.46 %. The physical and mechanical properties of the resulting cement were evaluated. After 28 days of curing under standard conditions, the cement demonstrated a flexural strength of 6.5 MPa and a compressive strength of 41.8 MPa. The results confirm the feasibility of producing Portland cement with a standard phase composition and satisfactory mechanical performance using metallurgical slags and clay shale as alternative raw materials.