Ultrafine Grinding of Limestone with Sodium Polyacrylates as Additives in Ordinary Portland Cement Mortar

Sodium polyacrylates permit a higher solids concentration during grinding, reducing the resulting particle size and/or specific energy consumption. Their impact on fine and ultrafine grinding of limestone was studied. Sodium polyacrylate with a low polydispersity index was found to be the most effective grinding aid for limestone and consequently applied for further nano‐grinding experiments. Nano‐grinding was most energy‐efficient with the smallest grinding medium size. These ground nano‐sized CaCO3 particles with sodium polyacrylate on the surface accelerated the hydration of ordinary Portland cement cement paste. Nano‐grinding of limestone in a stirred media mill is an interesting method for nano‐CaCO3 production. More energy‐efficient grinding of CaCO3 can be achieved by adding sodium polyacrylate with a low polydispersion index as grinding aid. Original Portland cement mortar tests were performed with ground nano‐CaCO3 particles. The heat of hydration is accelerated.