Hydration characteristics of monocalcium aluminate at a low water/solid ratio

The hydration characteristics of calcium monoaluminate were studied using an effective water/aluminate ratio of 0.15 at 20° or 80°C, from a few minutes of two months. The material hydrated at 80°C shows a large shrinkage while at the lower temperature a continuous expansion occurs. The product at 80°C shows a much higher strength than that hydrated at 20°C. The main initial hydration products are 2Ca0, Aℓ₂0₃, 8H₂0 and alumina gel. Microcracks are developed in the products hydrated at 20°C while at the higher temperature a very compact mass results. The data indicate that it is possible to obtain a durable high alumina cement by using a low water/cement ratio and hydrating at higher temperatures, and under these conditions C₃AH₃---C₃AH₆ bond is favoured.