Utilization of beet molasses as a grinding aid in blended cements

This paper investigates the viability of using beet molasses as a grinding aid for blended cements with high volumes of mineral admixtures. Different ratios of beet molasses (0.01–0.05% by weight of cement) were added into a blended cement containing 41% of fly ash and GBFS. The influence of beet molasses on performances of blended cement was studied by comparing with one commercially available, triethanolamine-based grinding aid (TA). The results show that when comparing with the blank cement mixture, the cement containing 0.02–0.03% molasses shows a higher compressive strength at 3 days and 28 days, even exceeding the TA mixture. The improved microstructure of the molasses modified cement paste was also demonstrated by the pore structure and SEM measurements. These improvements are attributed to the better particle size distribution induced by the addition of molasses, indicating the potential application of beet molasses as a good grinding aid.

► Beet molasses was used as a grinding aid to improve performances of blended cements.
► Both the strength and microstructure of cement paste is improved by the addition of molasses.
► The performance improvements are attributed to the better particle size distribution.