Characteristics and applications of flash metakaolins

Abstract

This paper presents physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics of metakaolins obtained from an industrial flash calciner, in order to compare their properties with standard industrial metakaolin produced in a rotary kiln calciner. Three kaolins, with three levels of purity, were calcined by these two different methods to give six different metakaolins for the study. The results showed that the method of calcination did not affect the chemical composition of the metakaolins formed but did influence their physical properties and performance as a supplementary cementitious material when blended with Portland cement, and in geopolymer synthesis. Flash metakaolins have a lower water demand..