Portland clinker is thanks to its large-scale production a continuously studied topic. Clinker, or Portland cement, is used for construction purposes, or for insulation and special applications. One of these special applications could be shielding of different types of radiation by making use of the content of barium ions. The present master’s thesis examines the influence of barium oxide on the formation and properties of Portland clinker, which could be, by incorporation of barium ions into the system, used as a binder for buildings resistant to various types of radiation. Barium sulfate and barium carbonate were added to the raw meal in order to prepare clinkers with different content of barium oxide. The effect of barium on the formation of clinker phases was studied (by XRD – Rietveld analysis and by the microscopic point integration), as well as the effects on the variations of temperature of the phase formation (TG-DTA) and the rate of alite formation under isothermal conditions. Furthermore, the ability of barium to become a part of clinker minerals was studied by SEM with EDS, and the solubility of barium phases by ICP-OES. The hydration of clinker minerals containing barium was studied by isothermal calorimetry.

The thesis deals with possibilities of FBC fly ash utilization for composite cements. It focuses on thermodynamic stability of ettringite, which is produced during composite cements hydration. Specific tasks are dedicated to observation of influence of outdoor environment and influence of calciumhydrosilicate environment to stability of ettringite.

This thesis focuses on collecting all available data on mixing Portland cements and especially on Portland cements with limestone. In the experimental part are compare the rheological properities of mixing Portland cements with limestone, their compatibility with plasticizing additives, witch depends on the type of additives, dosage and time, then in experimental part they are summarized monitoring of physical-mechanical properties and volume changes of concrete.

Up to present, ettrigite has been prepared by two means in the Institute of Technology of Building Materials and Components of the BUT Faculty of Civil Engineering: originally by the hydration of the yeelimite clinker; recently by the direct synthesis of ettringite from calcium hydroxide and aluminum sulfate, the latter being considered more suitable in qualitative and quantitative terms. This diploma thesis focuses on the comparison of both means, using ettringite produced by the latter as control sample. This endeavor focuses on monitoring the stability of ettringite and its possible conversion to other minerals using X-ray diffraction analysis, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

The thesis is focused on research and development of hydraulic binders based on FBC-ashes. It examines the possibilities of using this ash in the clinker so that the properties of the final cement are comparable to Portland cement. As an integral part of this thesis the research of emission reduction possibilities in the cement industry - a very current topic these days - is presented.

This diploma thesis is focused on long term monitoring of thermodynamic stability of ettringite under selected conditions and its possible destabilization or transformation into another AFt phase, especially thaumasite. Ettringite samples were made in two ways, by hydrating the yeelimite in the system with the alite and by addition of aluminium sulphate and calcium hydroxide.

This master’s thesis is focused on the effect of mixing water pH value on hydration and mechanical properties of cement composites based on portland cement. Source material was CEM I 42,5 R. Hydration process was analyzed by isoperibolic calorimetry, X-ray diffraction analysis and differential thermal analysis. Compressive and flexural strength was examined as mechanical properties. The samples microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Influence of mixing water pH value on flexural and compressive strength, retardation of hydration and ratio of individual phases was shown.

Diploma thesis discusses about design composition and firing process modification of belite clinker. It also deals with the summary of knowledge about chemistry and production technology of portland cements with respect to its ecology and economy.

The thesis is oriented on monitoring of hydration process of portland cement based on fluidized bed ash, firstly on investigation of AFt phases, mainly ettringite and thaumasite. Specific aim of the task is to prepare the scheme of these minerals synthetic preparation and to verify their laboratory preparation by different ways, using methods of RTG-diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy.

In 2003, the European Community Obligation (directive 2003/5C/EC) regulates a maximal value of soluble hexavalent chromium to 0.0002 % (per weight of dry cement). This limitation leads to modifications of the regular Portland cement by using of suitable reduction agents. Therefore, the possibilities of chromium reduction become a very actual topic. The primary goal of this work is a basic research of the ferrous sulphate influence on hexavalent chromium reduction and also its influence on Portland clinker hydration process. The reduction ability was determined by UV/VIS method. The mechanism and ferrous sulphate influence on Portland clinker hydration process was observed by isothermal calorimetry and mechanical strength tests. XRD method, SEM-EDS analysis and Raman microscopy were used for identification of formed hydration products. Study of hydration mechanism occurring in this system was focused on the divergence observations from the regular Portland cement hydration. Pore solution analysis provided significant information about chromium behavior during the hydration process (substitution and releasing). Chromium incorporation into structure of hydration products during the reduction process was also studied in the pure tricalciumaluminate system with targeted Cr6+ content. This work suggests the possible substitution of the trivalent and hexavalent chromium into structure of monosulphate (AFm) phase.