Kinetic Analysis of Cement–Asbestos Materials’ Thermal Decomposition Process by an Ex Situ Technique

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

see attached file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English in Abstract and Introduction could be improved. 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript investigates the thermal decomposition kinetics of cement-asbestos materials using an ex-situ technique. It analyzes asbestos transformation at elevated temperatures and determines kinetic parameters via the Avrami-Erofeev model. While the study is relevant, several areas require improvement.

The introduction is too general and should better contextualize the research by referencing previous studies, including the authors' own work, to highlight how this study advances current knowledge. The methodology lacks clarity on the determination of chemical composition, and the experimental setup requires more detailed descriptions, including apparatus specifications and test parameters. The results section needs additional SEM images and higher-resolution figures, as well as clearer explanations of key differences observed in the data. Some claims require proper citations, and references should be provided for all temperature ranges discussed.

Overall, the study offers valuable insights but requires revisions to improve clarity, methodological transparency, and data presentation.

Please refer to the attached PDF file for detailed remarks.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic is interesting and innovative. Below are my comments.

1. Cement-asbestos materials seem to be dangerous during the production process, not the disposal. Why do you think it can be dangerous when sent for landfill?
2. The sample names shown in Table 1 have no meanings. Why not label them using other recognizable name?
3. How did you obtain the quantitative mineralogical composition? Quantitative XRD with internal/external method? In citation [17], it is still not described. The experimental procedure should be explained. For example, please refer to the recent paper: "Calcium nitrate effectively mitigates alkali-silica reaction by surface passivation of reactive aggregate." The procedure is like: The diffraction pattern was quantitatively analyzed via a Rietveld refinement (using 10 mass% zincite (ZnO) as an internal calibration standard) using Profex software (version: 5.2.3).
4. In Table 3, the components related to asbestos should be highlighted.
5. In Table 4, what does endo/exo mean?
6. The conclusions need to include authors' final recommendation. For example, at which temperature, the material can be come unharmful?

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper has been revised based on the comments.