Metakaolin as a main cement constituent. Exploitation of poor Greek kaolins

In this work, the properties and the hydration procedure of cements containing metakaolin were monitored for periods up to 180 days. Four metakaolins, derived from poor Greek kaolins, as well as a commercial metakaolin of high purity were used. Cement mortars and pastes, with 0%, 10% and 20% replacement of cement with the above metakaolins, were examined. Strength development, water demand and setting time were determined in all samples. In addition, XRD and TGA were applied in order to study the hydration products and the hydration rate in the cement-metakaolin pastes. It is concluded that metakaolin has a very positive effect on the cement strength after 2 days and specifically at 28 and 180 days. The blended cements demand significantly more water than the relatively pure cement and the water demand increase is higher, the higher the metakaolin content. The produced metakaolins as well as the commercial one give similar hydration products after 28 days and the pozzolanic reaction is accelerated between 7 and 28 days, accompanied by a steep decrease of Ca(OH)2 content. Finally, it is concluded that a 10% metakaolin content seems to be, generally, more favorable than 20%. The produced metakaolins, derived from poor Greek kaolins, as well as the commercial one impart similar properties with respect to the cement strength development, the setting and the hydration.