The influence of the alite polymorphism on the strength of the Portland cement

The influence of the alite polymorphism on the strength of cement was monitored in a set of laboratory-prepared clinkers with equal quantitative phase composition and different ratio of modifications. The alite polymorphism in clinkers was influenced by the change of the MgO and SO₃ side oxides in clinker, raw meal reactivity change, raw meal preheating, burning temperature or by the adding of crystallisation nuclei. The differences in the hydraulic properties of the M₁ and M₃ modifications were determined. In the case of all the hydration periods monitored, the strength of cements with the M₁ modification was 10% higher than the strength of cements with the M₃ modification.