Seashell powder calcined slag cement: A novel green low-carbon ternary cement

Abstract

To reduce the carbon dioxide emissions during cement production, this research utilized seashell powder and calcined slag to replace a portion of the cement clinker, creating a novel green, low-carbon, ternary cement—seashell powder calcined slag cement (SCSC). This study investigated the impacts of seashell powder and calcined slag on the mechanical properties, hydration process, and microstructure of SCSC. The findings revealed that the addition of seashell powder and calcined slag improved the material’s toughness and promoted the formation of cementitious products such as carboaluminate phases, C-A-S-H gel, and ettringite, with a 15% mixture of seashell powder and calcined slag increasing the compressive strength ratio of SCSC to ordinary Portland cement to 112%, and reducing the proportion of large pores by 3%.