Effect of different grinding aids on property of granulated blast furnace slag powder

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of utilization of grinding aids (GA) in the granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) powder production. The GBFS powders were prepared with different GA, and their grindabilities, fluidities, reactivities and hydration characteristics were investigated. The experimental results indicate that although the improvement scales are various, all GA are very effective to explore the GBFS grindability. The energy can be accordingly reserved to grind the GBFS to specified specific surface area. GA with TIPA notably enhances the GBFS powder fluidity. The reactivity increment of GBFS powder at different hydration age is strongly related to the GA type and content. GA with TIPA has the more remarkable influences on fluidity, reactivity and CH content than GA with TEA. Composite use of TEA and TIPA is more favorable to the improvements of some GBFS properties such as grindability and fluidity. Besides, hardened mixtures with GA are provided with denser microstructures than that of control. GA application is an optional technology with lower energy consumption to produce GBFS powder, whilst the GBFS powders display the higher reactivity and better fluidity.