Approach by zeta-potential measurement on the surface change of hydrating C3S

The adsorption of Ca²⁺ on C₃S surface and the formation of C-S-H in the induction period of C₃S hydration were investigated by measuring zeta-potential, heat evolution change and by analyzing dissolved ions. Within 20 minutes, the dissolution of Ca²⁺ and silicate ions and the adsorption of Ca²⁺ on the surface of C₃S were alternately repeated. In the induction period (20 50 minutes), Ca²⁺ was adsorbed fairly strongly on C₃S surface giving positive zeta-potentials and the dissolution stopped for a time. In the hydration between 60 and 140 minutes, the C-S-H gel proceeded to crystallize and Ca²⁺ began to dissolve again, giving negative zeta-potentials by Si-O^?. After 140 minutes, the second evolution was caused by the crystallization of C-S-H and Ca(OH)₂.