CHANGES IN COMPOSITION OF THE AQUEOUS PHASE DURING HYDRATION OF CEMENT PASTES AND SUSPENSIONS

Abstract

THE CHEMICAL REACTIONS TAKING PLACE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE HYDRATION OF A NUMBER OF PORTLAND CEMENT-WATER PASTES AND SUSPENSIONS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED BY PERIODICALLY EXTRACTING AND ANALYZING THE AQUEOUS PHASE. THREE REACTIONS HAVE BEEN EXAMINED' THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE, THE RELEASE OF ALKALI METAL IONS FROM THE LATTICE OF THE C3A PHASE ON HYDRATION, AND THE COMBINATION OF THE C3A PHASE AND CALCIUM SULFATE. THE EFFECTS OF ALKALI METAL IONS ON THESE REACTIONS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND THE POSSIBLE BEARING THESE HAVE ON THE HYDRATION OF COMMERCIAL CEMENTS IS DISCUSSED. /AUTHOR/