Possibility of decorative cement production in the Republic of Armenia

National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

^* Corresponding author: meimaryan@mail.ru

Abstract

The raw materials for the synthesis of white cement clinker were determined through physicochemical analyses of the raw material sources in the Republic of Armenia, including production waste. Subsequently, decorative cement with various tints is produced using processed white clinker as the base. Kaolinite clay utilization from the Atan mine, which is an aluminosilicate component, is more suitable, primarily because its composition contains a relatively low level of coloring oxides, especially Fe2O3. For the carbonate component, limestone travertine from the Ararat mine, which contains a small amount of iron oxide, was chosen. Calculations were performed for the raw mix and clinker using these mentioned components. A suitable composition of the raw mixture, which has undergone calcination, is carefully chosen. Various amounts of NaSiF6 mineralizer were added to the raw mixture to reduce the sintering temperature. The optimal firing temperature and cooling conditions for the resulting clinker were determined. It has been demonstrated that cooling the clinker with water further enhances its whiteness.