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Why are low-alkali cements used with certain aggregates?
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Cement
The cement-making process, from crushing and grinding of raw materials, through roasting of the ground and mixed ingredients, to final cooling and storing of the finished product.
Low-alkali cements are defined as portland cements with a total alkali content not exceeding 0.6 percent.1
These cements are used in concrete mixtures that incorporate specific types of aggregates containing reactive forms of silica. When these aggregates are present, they can react with the alkalies in the cement, leading to an expansion process that may cause the concrete to crack or otherwise disrupt its structural integrity.1