Using Igneous Dikes as Alternatives to Iron Ore and Pozzolana in Cement Production.

Abstract

The cement industry is a fundamental pillar of urban development, yet it faces increasing challenges related to resource sustainability and the cost of traditional raw materials. This study aimed to evaluate the geological and chemical potential of Igneous Dikes as an alternative source for both iron ore and pozzolana in cement production. The methodology involved analyzing the chemical composition of the igneous dikes using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and comparing them with traditional pozzolana.  Five different cement mixtures were prepared, including a reference mix, and mixes containing 8% pozzolana or 8% igneous dikes, with or without the addition of 2% black limestone.

    The compressive strength of the resulting cement cubes was tested after 3, 28, and 90 days. The results demonstrated that the iron-rich igneous dikes contain suitable concentrations of ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃), which contributes to maintaining the required chemical composition of the clinker, particularly the ratio of tetra calcium aluminum ferrite (C₄AF), thereby reducing the reliance on traditional iron sources.

     Furthermore, the chemical composition of the igneous dikes was found to be very similar to that of traditional pozzolana, reflecting their common volcanic origin. Most importantly, the mixes containing igneous dikes showed higher compressive strength at all ages compared to similar pozzolana mixes.

For instance, the mix containing 8% igneous dikes and black limestone achieved a compressive strength of 34 MPa after 3 days and 67 MPa after 90 days, surpassing the performance of the similar pozzolana mix (32.1 MPa and 63 MPa, respectively). The study concludes that igneous dikes represent an effective, economically, and environmentally feasible alternative to both imported iron ore and pozzolana.  Their utilization contributes to enhancing the sustainability of the cement industry by leveraging local resources while maintaining, and in some cases improving, the final product's quality and compressive strength.