Composition and Morphology of Hydrated Tricalcium Silicate

Abstract

Hardened C 3 S paste cured for 1 year at 20°C was examined to confirm the composition and the morphology of hydrated tricalcium silicate. A new technique was used in which the samples for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) were etched in 1% HNO 3 ‐alcohol or in glycerol‐alcohol (4:6 by volume). After the surface was etched in 1% HNO 3 ‐alcohol, SEM clearly showed the difference in texture in the outer and inner C‐S‐H products. The existence of a zonal texture within the inner C‐S‐H products was shown, in addition to the unreacted core; particles 0.1 to 0.2 μm in diameter were observed. After free CH extraction with glycerol‐alcohol, two new types of C‐S‐H grains could be identified. One type has a smooth surface, which seems to be produced from C 3 S grains trapped within the growing CH crystals in the early stage of hydration, the C/S mol ratio for these being >3. The other type is covered with many acicular outer C‐S‐H gel hydration products and has a C/S mol ratio >3.