Citation
Martín Sánchez, Domingo Alfonso and Costafreda Mustelier, Jorge Luis and Estévez Fernández, Esteban and Presa Madrigal, Leticia and Calvo Paz, Alicia and Castedo Ruiz, Ricardo and Sanjuán, Miguel Ángel and Parra y Alfaro, José Luis and Navarro, Rafael
(2021).
Natural Fluorite from Órgiva Deposit (Spain). A Study of Its Pozzolanic and Mechanical Properties.
"Crystals", v. 11
(n. 11);
p. 1367.
ISSN 2073-4352.
https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11111367.
Abstract
This work presents the results of the partial substitution of Portland cement (PC) by natural fluorite (NF) and calcined fluorite (CF) in mortars, at 10%, 25% and 40%. To meet these objectives, a sample of fluorite was initially studied by XRD, SEM and Raman Spectroscopy (RS). A chemical quality analysis (CQA) and a chemical pozzolanicity test (CPT) at 8 and 15 days were carried out in a second stage to establish the pozzolanic properties of the investigated sample. Finally, a mechanical compressive strength test (MCST) at 7, 28 and 90 days was carried out on specimens made up with PC/NF and PC/CF mixes, at a ratio of 10%, 25% and 40%. XRD, SEM and RS results indicated fluorite as the major mineralogical phase. The CPT and CQA showed an increase in the pozzolanicity of the samples from 8 to 15 days. The MCST showed an increase in compressive strength from 7 to 90 days for both PC/NF and PC/CF specimens. The results obtained establish that fluorite produces positive effects in the mortar and contributes to the gain of mechanical strength over time, being a suitable material for the manufacture of cements with pozzolanic addition with a reduction of CO2 emissions, and by reducing the energy costs of production.
