Gypsum Dehydration During Comminution and Its Effect on Cement Properties

A mix containing fixed amounts of gypsum and ordinary portland cement clinker was ground in plant and laboratory ball mills to examine the effect of grinding in different mills on the cement properties. Mineralogical examination showed that in the plant mill (1200 cm×260 cm), because of the rising temperature during grinding, gypsum was dehydrated to hemihydrate, while there was no dehydration in the laboratory mill (45 cm×45 cm) grinding. Study of hydration of the cement pastes showed that the presence of hemihydrate increased the rate of ettringite formation. Hemihydrate also was rehydrated to gypsum and in the process retarded the setting times and reduced the strength development of the cement. This has been further confirmed by examination of cements prepared with gypsum, hemihydrate, and anhydrite.