The Microstructure of Anhydrous Cement and its Effect on Hydration

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe hydration and microstructural development of cement are affected by the arrangement of anhydrous phases within the cement grains. Backscattered electron images and X-ray microanalysis can be used to characterize the microstructure of anhydrous cement. An image analyzer has been used to measure the overall proportions of silicate and interstitial phases in several cements and to measure the proportions of these phases that are exposed on the surface. These results are compared with the rates of heat evolution during the hydration of the cements.