The effect of prolonged mechanical activation duration on the reactivity of Portland cement: Effect of particle size and crystallinity changes

The effect of using the activated cement powders as a binder material addition on mechanical properties of the resulting cement pastes was studied. Results have shown that for an addition percentage up to 10%, the flexural strength, and the young modulus were improved as a function of the milling duration of the addition materials. Results have suggested that, besides of the particle size reduction, the formation of the amorphous fraction within the processed cement contributes to the acceleration of the early stage of hydration and improves the mechanical properties of the cement paste.