The use of scanning transmission X-ray microscopy for the real-time study of cement hydration

• Published in: Cement and concrete research Vol. 29; no. 7; pp. 1099 - 1102
• Main Authors: Clark, S.M., Morrison, G.R., Shi, W.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Ltd 1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Analysis of cement phases and constituents; Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; C-S-H; Ca 3SiO 5; Cement concrete constituents; Cements; Exact sciences and technology; Hydration; Materials; Properties of anhydrous and hydrated cement, test methods; Reaction; C-S-H; Ca 3SiO 5; Hydration; Reaction; Water cement ratio; Scanning microscope; Transmission microscope; CSH phase; X ray microscopy; Mechanism analysis; Cement; Real time; Calcium hydroxide; C3S phase
• ISSN: 0008-8846; 1873-3948
• DOI: 10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00091-5

The use of scanning transmission X-ray microscopy for the real-time study of cement hydration is presented. The technique is illustrated with a study of the hydration of tricalcium silicate. Tubules emerging from C 3S grains were found to grow in a contorted fashion when the water-to-cement ratio was 3:1. This is in contrast to observations with larger water-to-cement ratios when the tubules were found to grow in a linear fashion. A scheme for the progression of the hydration reaction suggested by our observations is presented. The potential of chemical-state imaging was also explored and promises exciting possibilities for the understanding of cement hydration.