Influence of Controlled Cooling Rates on Clinker Microstructure and Phase Evolution with Machine Learning-Based Compressive Strength Prediction

Bilguun Mend; Youngjun Lee; Yong-Sik Chu

doi:10.7844/kirr.2025.34.6.48

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2025 Vol.34, Issue 6 Preview Page Next Page

Research Paper

Influence of Controlled Cooling Rates on Clinker Microstructure and Phase Evolution with Machine Learning-Based Compressive Strength Prediction 제어된 냉각 속도가 클링커 미세구조와 상 진화에 미치는 영향 및 머신러닝 기반 압축강도 예측

31 December 2025. pp. 48-61

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Abstract

The effect of cooling rate on Portland cement clinker was studied using six regimes (2–100 °C/min) after sintering at 1450 °C. X-ray diffraction rietveld refinement and optical analyses revealed that slow cooling stabilized monoclinic-C₃S and β-C₂S, while rapid quenching produced triclinic-C₃S and γ-C₂S, thereby reducing reactivity. A random forest model was used to predict compressive strength (R² = 0.92) based on phase and microstructure data. Moderate cooling (20–50 °C/min) resulted in optimal strength and phase stability. The results indicate that controlled cooling governs clinker reactivity and data driven modeling enables reliable prediction of mechanical performance for sustainable, high-efficiency cement production.

Keywords

Portland cement clinker

Controlled cooling rate

Machine learning

X-ray diffraction

Compressive strength prediction

본 연구는 1450 °C에서 소성된 포틀랜드 시멘트 클링커의 상 변화, 미세구조, 그리고 압축강도에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위해 2–100 °C/분 범위의 제어된 냉각 속도를 적용하여 그 효과를 분석하였다. XRD–Rietveld 분석과 광학현미경 관찰 결과, 느린 냉각에서는 단사정 C₃S와 β-C₂S가 안정화된 반면, 빠른 냉각에서는 삼사정 C₃S와 γ-C₂S가 형성되어 수경성이 저하되는 것으로 나타났다. 정량적 상 조성 정보와 결정립 크기 데이터를 기반으로 Random Forest 모델을 구축하여 클링커의 압축강도를 예측하였다. 중간 수준의 냉각 속도(20–50 °C/분)에서는 상 안정성, 미세조직의 균질성, 강도 발현이 가장 우수한 것으로 확인되었다. 이러한 결과는 냉각 공정의 정밀 제어가 클링커의 반응성을 좌우하는 핵심 요소임을 보여주며, 데이터 기반 모델링이 기계적 성능을 최적화하고 고효율·지속가능한 시멘트 생산을 지원하는 신뢰할 수 있는 도구임을 입증한다.

키워드

포틀랜드 시멘트 클링커

제어 냉각 속도

머신러닝

X-선 회절

압축강도 예측

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Institute of Resources Recycling
Publisher(Ko) :한국자원리싸이클링학회
Journal Title :Resources Recycling
Journal Title(Ko) :자원리싸이클링
Volume : 34
No :6
Pages :48-61
Received Date : 2025-09-19
Revised Date : 2025-11-04; 2025-11-21
Accepted Date : 2025-11-24
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7844/kirr.2025.34.6.48

Resources Recycling ISSN:2765-3439(Print) 2765-3447(Online) 자원리싸이클링

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