Abstract
CALORIMETRIC studies1–3 indicate that the rate of hydration of the alite phase (tricalcium silicate) in neat Portland cement pastes reaches a maximum 6–11 h after mixing. Two heating cycles, or periods of high heat evolution, are found with all cements; some show a third. The first, occurring immediately on mixing, is most likely due to the dissolving of soluble species and to an initial rapid reaction of the aluminate phase. The second cycle, which reaches a maximum 6–11 h after mixing, is assigned largely to the alite phase. The third heating cycle shown by some cements is attributed to the exhaustion of sulphate ion (gypsum), the breaking down of the ettringite coating on the tricalcium aluminate particles, and the subsequent rapid hydration of the remaining aluminate to Ca4Al2O10·XH2O. X-ray diffraction work in this laboratory offers direct evidence that the foregoing conclusion regarding the alite phase is correct.
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ANGSTADT, R., HURLEY, F. Hydration of the Alite Phase in Portland Cement. Nature 197, 688 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/197688a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/197688a0
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