Combined Effects of Triethanolamine and Triisopropanolamine Blends on Cement Hydration and Early-Age Strength

Kaya Y., Kobya V., Unverdi M., Kaya Y., Mardani A., Assaad J. J.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, cilt.26, sa.8, ss.1-20, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 8
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s40999-026-01257-7
  • Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Applied Science & Technology Source, Scopus, Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest), Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Compendex
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-20
  • Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Limited investigations have evaluated the combined effect of triethanolamine (TEA) and triisopropanolamine (TIPA) on

clinker grinding behavior, particle-size characteristics, and the performance of the finished cement. This paper assesses the

limitations of these compounds when used separately at high dosage rates (0.05% and 0.1%) and highlights the benefits

of their synergistic interaction in early-age cement hydration kinetics and strength development. The combined effects of

TEA-TIPA blends prepared at different ratios were evaluated using 11 CEM I 42.5R cement samples ground to a Blaine

fineness of 3900 ± 100 cm²/g, including a control mixture without grinding aid addition. The mixtures were tested using

isothermal calorimetry, X-Ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, setting time, air content, and

early-age compressive strengths. Test results demonstrated that the separate use of TIPA at 0.1% effectively reduced particles

larger than 45 μm from 18% to 7.5%, but increased the air content from 4.6% to 6.8%, resulting in a 7% drop in

the 1-day compressive strength. In contrast, the 0.05% TEA addition reduced the final setting time by 19%, yet caused a

7% decrease in the 3-day strength due to delayed silicate hydration. Blending TIPA with TEA mitigated these drawbacks,

with 1-day strength increases ranging from 6% to 20% compared with the control mixture. Among the investigated mixtures,

the blend containing 25% TEA and 75% TIPA showed the most favorable early-age performance. This mixture

maintained a controlled air content, increased the 24-hour calcium hydroxide (CH) content by 9.1%, and improved the

1-day compressive strength by 20% compared with the control mixture.