Calorimetric and thermogravimetric study on the influence of calcium sulfate on the hydration of ye’elimite

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements, which represent a CO₂-friendly alternative to conventional Portland cements, are produced by blending CSA clinker with gypsum and/or anhydrite. The hydration kinetics and the hydrated phase assemblages of the main hydraulic phase ye’elimite (calcium sulfoaluminate) with calcium sulfate were studied by isothermal conduction calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and thermodynamic modelling. Two calcium sulfates with different reactivities (gypsum and anhydrite) were applied. It was found that the pure phase without any calcium sulfate addition exhibits very slow hydration kinetics during the first 10 h. The hydration can be accelerated by the addition of calcium sulfate or (less effective) by increasing the pH of the aqueous phase. The amount of the calcium sulfate determines the ratio between the hydration products ettringite, monosulfate and amorphous aluminium hydroxide. The reactivity of the added calcium sulfate determines the early hydration kinetics. It was found that the more reactive gypsum was better suited to control the hydration behaviour of ye’elimite.     

Hydraulic activity of C4A3Cr in presence of C4A3S

This paper deals with synthesis and assessment of the hydraulicity of C₄A₃Cr, analog phase C₄A₃S to , relevant to the phase chemistry and properties of sulfoaluminate cements. C₄A₃Cr, synthesized at 1250 °C is well crystallized phase, latently hydraulic, with hydration accelerated in the presence of C₄A₃S, or CS. Calorimetric curves show reciprocal influence of sulfate and chromate phase in hydration of C₄A₃S-C₄A₃Cr system. The total heat expressed at hydration is nearly the same for all specimens, but the rate of heat evolution depends on the ratio of C₄A₃S/C₄A₃Cr phases. X-ray diffraction pattern and DTA curves showed that, increasing content of C₄A₃Cr in hydrating mixture results in a coexistence of two types of ettringite (chromate and sulfate ettringite) hydrogarnet, gibbsite and monosulfate. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigation on mechanical properties, durability and micro-structural development of steel slag blended cements

To improve the properties of steel slag blended cements, a chemical activator was added into blended cements, the mechanical properties and durability of steel slag blended cements were investigated. The results show that steel slag in blended cement pastes presents low hydraulic activity and makes practically no contribution to strength development. After the addition of chemical activator, the mechanical properties and durability of ternary blended cements are increased significantly. The hydration process and micro-structural development of blended cement was investigated by isothermal calorimeter and scanning electric microscope, respectively. Steel slag started hydration in the first 3?days in the presence of chemical activator, steel slag and granulate blast furnace slag reacted with Ca(OH)₂ to form a dense microstructure as curing proceeded. Therefore, both early and late compressive strengths of steel slag blended cement with 35% cement clinker and 30% steel slag can be comparable with those of Portland cement.     

The synthesis and characterization of an expansive additive for M-type cements

The expansive admixtures for M-type expansive cements were prepared by mixing of aluminate cement and gypsum. Hydrated samples were investigated by thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The main attention was focused on the formation of ettringite and the influence of water-to-cement and water-to-gypsum ratio on the process. The results of thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy indicate high water-to-cement ratio and high water-to-gypsum ratio as the most proper condition for the formation of ettringite. It was observed that the value of water-to-gypsum ratio close to 1.76 supported the formation of monosulfate phase in the expansive mixture. The SEM indicates an oriented crystal growth of ettringite crystals that produces the expansive stresses.     

Thermodynamics of the silver-silver ion electrode and thermodynamic solubility product constants of silver halides and pseudo-halides in urea-water mixtures

The hydration kinetics of tricalcium aluminate, C₃A, with gypsum or anhydrite at 1:3 mole ratio were studied using hydration periods of 5 min up to 7 days. These studies were assessed with the aid of differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffractometry as well as chemical analysis.The results revealed that hydration periods of up to 7 days of tricalcium aluminate with gypsum in paste form and in suspension, forms ettringite with unhydrated components of C₃A and gypsum. On the other hand, the only hydration product of the slurry of C₃A with anhydrite is ettringite after 7 days of hydration. The kinetics of hydration were studied by the quantitative determination of ettringite from the TG analysis. The results also illustrate that the rate of ettringite formation is slower in the presence of gypsum than in the presence of anhydrite and also that hydration of the slurry gives more ettringite than the hydration of the paste.     

Identification of Composite Cement Hydration Products by Means of X-Ray Diffraction

 In this paper the effect of limestone, fly ash, slag and natural pozzolana on the cement hydration products is studied. Four composite cements containing limestone, natural pozzolana from the Milos Island, slag and fly ash have been produced by intergrinding clinker (85%), the above main constituent (15%) and gypsum. The grinding process was designed in order to produce cements of the same 28d compressive strength. The hydrated products, formed after 1–28 days, were studied by means of X-ray diffraction. Unhydrated calcium silicate compounds of clinker and hydration products such as C*H, C*S*H and ettringite are clearly observed. Although there is not significant differentiation among samples hydrated for the same period of time, modifications of calcium aluminate hydrates as well as sulfoaluminate hydrates, are indicated by the XRD patterns. In samples of limestone cement, monocarboaluminate is formed in the first 24 hours and is still present after 28 days.     

Synthesis and calorimetric study of hydration behavior of sulfate-rich belite sulfoaluminate cements with different phase compositions

Sulfate-rich belite sulfoaluminate (BSA) cements with varied phase compositions were synthesized in this work. The presence of sulfate in the clinker is in the form of anhydrite in addition to calcium sulfoaluminate. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of mineral composition on cement properties. Experimental results indicate that the improvement of early-age strengths mainly depends on the hydration of ye’elimite. The increase of ferrite content promotes the compressive strength after 7 days of hardening, but has adverse effect on cement strength at early ages. The optimum content of ferrite is between 10 and 20% for BSA cement containing approximately 35% ye’elimite. Different amounts of natural gypsum were added to the synthetic sulfate-rich BSA clinkers and we found that anhydrite formed in BSA clinkers can replace natural gypsum to facilitate the hydration of ye’elimite.     

Synthesis and Characterization of ZrO2-CaSO4 Materials Prepared by the Sol–Gel Method

Mixtures of ZrO₂-CaSO₄ in different molar ratio were prepared by the sol–gel method. The precursors were anhydrous calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) and zirconium n-butoxide in ethanol. Sulfuric acid was used as a hydrolysis catalyst to carry out the reaction at pH 3. The samples were thermally annealed and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Crystalline structure for selected samples (100, 90, 80% molar ZrO₂), were refined by the Rietveld method. Tetragonal zirconia and anhydrite were obtained in all compositions ranges, from 400 up to 800°C, although baddeyelite appears in the zirconia rich end (98% molar) from 600°C. Towards high calcium content, different nanostructured calcium sulfates as gypsum, bassanite and anhydrite were obtained.     

Crystallization and Phase Stability of CaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and CaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> – Based Salts

Summary.  Calcium sulfate occurs in nature in form of three different minerals distinguished by the degree of hydration: gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O), hemihydrate (CaSO₄·0.5H₂O) and anhydrite (CaSO₄). On the one hand the conversion of these phases into each other takes place in nature and on the other hand it represents the basis of gypsum-based building materials. The present paper reviews available phase diagram and crystallization kinetics information on the formation of calcium sulfate phases, including CaSO₄-based double salts and solid solutions. Uncertainties in the solubility diagram CaSO₄–H₂O due to slow crystallization kinetics particularly of anhydrite cause uncertainties in the stable branch of crystallization. Despite several attempts to fix the transition temperatures of gypsum–anhydrite and gypsum–hemihydrate by especially designed experiments or thermodynamic data analysis, they still vary within a range from 42–60°C and 80–110°C. Electrolyte solutions decrease the transition temperatures in dependence on water activity. Dry or wet dehydration of gypsum yields hemihydrates (α-, β-) with different thermal and re-hydration behaviour, the reason of which is still unclear. However, crystal morphology has a strong influence. Gypsum forms solid solutions by incorporating the ions HPO₄ ²⁻, HAsO₄ ²⁻, SeO₄ ²⁻, CrO₄ ²⁻, as well as ion combinations Na⁺(H₂PO₄)⁻ and Ln³⁺(PO₄)³⁻. The channel structure of calcium sulfate hemihydrate allows for more flexible ion substitutions. Its ion substituted phases and certain double salts of calcium sulfate seem to play an important role as intermediates in the conversion kinetics of gypsum into anhydrite or other anhydrous double salts in aqueous solutions. The same is true for the opposite process of anhydrite hydration to gypsum. Knowledge about stability ranges (temperature, composition) of double salts with alkaline and alkaline earth sulfates (esp. Na₂SO₄, K₂SO₄, MgSO₄, SrSO₄) under anhydrous and aqueous conditions is still very incomplete, despite some progress made for the systems Na₂SO₄–CaSO₄ and K₂SO₄–CaSO₄–H₂O. Corresponding author. E-mail: daniela.freyer@chemie.tu-freiberg.de Received December 17, 2002; accepted January 10, 2003 Published online April 3, 2003     

Influence of borax and citric acid on the hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate cement

The hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate cement in the presence of borax and citric acid has been studied using isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transfer infrared spectrometry and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results suggest that the formation of complex between calcium and citrate in the solution adsorbed on the solid surface delayed the C₄A₃ \( \bar{S} \) and anhydrite dissolution and AFt nucleation. At the same time, the presence of borate replaced sulfate anion in ettringite (AFt) to form B-AFt. These reactions have an effect on the setting times and the mechanical strength values. The setting times of the calcium sulfoaluminate cement increased when the mineral admixtures increased in the cement. The effect of borax and citric acid on the strength development at different hydration stages presented different results, namely a decreased strength in an early stage and an increased strength at 3 and 28 days.     

准东煤灰化过程中的矿物演变及矿物添加剂对其灰熔融特性的影响

利用低温灰化、高温灰化和X射线衍射物相分析相结合的方法对准东煤中矿物质在加热过程中的演变规律进行了研究。结果表明,准东煤中原始矿物质以方解石、高岭石为主,随着燃烧温度的升高,煤灰中矿物质最终生成了铁橄榄石、硅酸钙等。此外,向准东煤中掺加不同比例的高岭土和刚玉混合添加剂,发现随着SiO₂/Al₂O₃比值的降低,煤中生成了钙矾石、钙铝榴石等高熔点物质,准东煤的灰熔点逐步升高。     

Comparing study on hydration properties of various cementitious systems

The hydration properties of slag sulfate cement (SSC), slag Portland cement (PSC), and ordinary Portland cement (POC) were compared in this study by determining the compressive strength of pastes, the hydration heat of binders within 72 h, the pore structure, the hydration products, and the hydration degree. The results indicated that main hydration products of PSC paste and POC paste are calcium hydroxide and C–S–H gel, while those of SSC paste are ettringite and C–S–H gel from the analyses of XRD, TG–DTA, and SEM. At the early curing age, the compressive strength depends on the clinker content in the cementitious system, while at the late curing age, which is related to the potential reactivity of slag. From hydration heat analysis, the cumulative hydration heat of PSC is lower than that of POC, but higher than that of SSC. Slag can limit chemical reaction and the delayed coagulation of gypsum, which also plays a role in the early hydration. So SSC shows the lowest heat release and slag can’t be simulated without a suitable alkaline solution. Based on MIP analysis, the porosity of POC paste is the smallest while the average pore size is the biggest. At the age of 90 days, the compressive strength of SSC can get higher development because of its relative smaller pore size than that of PSC and POC paste.     

Resistance of supersulfated cement to strong sulfate solutions

One of the principal uses of supersulfated cement has been for structures exposed to sea water and sulfate bearing ground waters. The resistance to such environments has been related to the absence of calcium hydroxide and the combination of much of the free alumina into ettringite during hydration. This paper reports the resistance of SSC to sulfate solutions in which ettringite has been decomposed. Prism samples were subjected to initial water storage at 25°C for both 28 days and 6 months. Samples were also cured for 6 months at 95°C and at both 11% and 100% R.H. The control samples of 28 days were compared with the 6 months samples of a more mature undecomposed SSC paste. After curing the prisms were measured and all the samples were immersed in three sulfate solutions (0.7M Na₂SO₄ , 0.7M MgSO₄ and saturated CaSO₄), and water at the same time. Measurements of linear expansion over 6 months were carried out. Core and surface material following immersion was examined by DTG and XRD. The study indicated that SSC is resistant to sodium and calcium sulfate solutions. Strong magnesium sulfate solutions decomposed the samples under all conditions. A possible mechanism for this attack is suggested. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparative Study on Energy Consumption and Yield by Various Thermal Plasma Routes for Production of Titania slag

In this paper, pre-reduced ilmenite concentrate of Indian region was processed successfully by thermal plasma routes to produce high titania slag. Effects of various parameters like time, yield and energy consumption, on TiO₂ and FeO content in the slag were studied. One of the main drawbacks of thermal plasma process is higher specific electrical power consumption, especially where power is costlier. So, the main focus is to reduce the energy consumption with better yield in various thermal plasma reactors. It is found that energy consumption decreases in respect to in-flight static bed plasma reactor. If the melting time kept within 2 min, the TiO₂ content and iron recovery increased, whereas melting time exceeds 2 min, low yield has been observed. At optimum conditions, TiO₂ content in the slag and the iron recovery are 84.5 and 80%, respectively. The phases before and after reduction, the sample were analyzed using X-ray diffraction.     

Determination of Kinetic Equations of Alkaline Activation of Blast Furnace Slag by Means of Calorimetric Data

The alkaline activation of blast furnace slag promotes the formation of new cement materials. These materials have many advantages over ordinary Portland cement, including high strength, low production cost and good durability. However, many aspects of the chemistry of alkaline activated slags are not yet very well understood. Some authors consider that these processes occur through a heterogeneous reaction, and that they can be governed by three mechanisms: a) nucleation and growth of the hydrated phase; b) phase boundary interactions and c) any diffusion process though the layer of hydration products. The aim of this paper was to determine the mechanism explaining the early reaction of alkaline activation of a blast furnace slag through the use of calorimetric data. A granulated blast furnace slag from Avilés (Spain) with a specific surface of 4450 cm²> g^-1 was used. The alkaline activators used were NaOH, Na₂CO₃ and a mix of waterglass (Na₂SiO₃·nH₂O and NaOH. The solution concentrations were constant (4% Na₂O with respect to the slag mass). The solutions were basic (pH 11-13). The mixes had a constant solution/slag ratio of 0.4. The thermal evolution of the mixes was monitored by conduction calorimetry. The test time was variable, until a rate of heat evolution equal to or less than 0.3 kJ kg^-1 h^-1 was attained. The working temperature was 25°C. The degree of hydration (α) was determined by means of the heat of hydration after the induction period. The law governing the course of the reaction changes at a certain degree of hydration. From a generally accepted equation, the values of α at which the changes are produced were determined. These values of α depend on the nature of the alkaline activator. Nevertheless, for high values of α, the alkaline activation of slag occurs by a diffusion process. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fly ASH Reactivity. Formation of hydrate phases

In this study the process of hydration of fly ash, produced by a municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator, is examined in water and in a solution enriched with Ca(OH)₂. The examined fly ash samples are characterized by a high content of alkaline chlorides and anhydrite and by remarkable amounts of heavy metals. Investigations using differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry (DTA/TG) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD)show particular kinetics of the formation of the ettringite phase. The development of such a hydrated phase is much more intense in the presence of an excess of Ca(OH)₂so as to consume the ‘free’ sulphate in the case of the more reactive fly ash. Experimental results from thermal analysis and X-ray diffractometry show the presence of different hydrated phases during the interaction between fly ash and aqueous solution. The analytical determinations, related to the aqueous solution, point out an interesting decrease in concentration of metals Pb, Zn and Cr(VI), relating to the middle period of the interaction. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermogravimetric study of the reduction of CuO–WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> oxide mixtures in the entire range of molar ratios

The present study reports the results of investigation on the role of metakaolin in the formation of ettringite in a model relevant to Portland cement. The model consists of ternary system (Trio) metakaolin–lime–gypsum. Five samples of defined ternary system were cured at different temperatures 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C. Conduction calorimeter TAM AIR was mainly used to capture heat evolution at different temperatures. Thermoanalytical (simultaneous TGA/DSC) and X-ray diffraction methods were used to identify different products after curing. It results that ettringite is the main hydration product supplemented by calcium silicate and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates according to sample composition. The mechanism and kinetics of hydration, as displayed by calorimetric curves, depend on composition of samples and curing temperatures. Two main types of processes have been elucidated: reaction of aluminum ions with sulfate ones in the presence of calcium ions in aqueous solution to form ettringite supplemented by pozzolanic activity leading to the formation of calcium silicate and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates. Concomitant condensation of alumina and silica species and carbonation have influenced the course of hydration. Activation energy E _a depends slightly on composition of ternary system.     

Calorimetric studies of special cements

The kinetics and even the mechanism of cement reaction with water can be successfully investigated by use of microcalorimetry. In this study this method was applied to follow the hydration of the new family of portland cements containing C₁₂A₇ ^* and C₁₁A₇·CaF₂ addition as well as special cement with C₃A replacement by calcium sulphoaluminate. It has been found that C₁₁A₇·CaF₂ acted as hydration retarder. The heat evolution curves for C₁₂A₇ containing samples without CaF₂ are very similar to those for the reference portland cement samples. XRD and SEM studies confirm the results described above, relating to the retardation of alite hydration. The process is positively modified by the addition of anhydrite. In the presence of calcium sulphoaluminate (4CaO·3Al₂O₃·SO₃) the hydration at early stage occurs with the rapid formation of large amount of the ettringite phase. The calcium fluoride acts as a set retarder. The full compatibility of calorimetry with SEM and XRD results should be underlined. In cement chemistry the following notation is used:C=CaO,A=Al₂O₃,S=SiO₂,H=H₂O etc. for the main oxide constituents of portland cement clinker and hydrates.     

Controlling the Selective Formation of Calcium Sulfate Polymorphs at Room Temperature

Calcium sulfate is a naturally abundant and technologically important mineral with a broad scope of applications. However, controlling CaSO₄ polymorphism and, with it, its final material properties still represents a major challenge, and to date there is no universal method for the selective production of the different hydrated and anhydrous forms under mild conditions. Herein we report the first successful synthesis of pure anhydrite from solution at room temperature. We precipitated calcium sulfate in alcoholic media at low water contents. Moreover, by adjusting the amount of water in the syntheses, we can switch between the distinct polymorphs and fine‐tune the outcome of the reaction, yielding either any desired CaSO₄ phase in pure state or binary mixtures with predefined compositions. This concept provides full control over phase selection in CaSO₄ mineralization and may allow for the targeted fabrication of corresponding materials for use in various areas.     

The synthesis and characterization of an expansive admixture for M-type cements I. The influence of free CaO to the formation of ettringite

The hydration process of expansive admixtures for M-type of expansive or shrinkage compensation cements was studied by thermal analysis supplemented by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The main attention was focused on ettringite formation and on the influence of lime content upon the process. The behaviour of expansive admixture during hydration is significantly affected by the content of lime. The increasing content of lime slows down the rate of ettringite formation and supports the formation of monosulphate (AFm phase) that can be transformed afterwards into ettringite during hardening process. This process may produce better expansion effect because of better transfer of expansion stress after the setting of the paste.