Hydrothermal Formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrates

The kinetics of solution of quartz and the crystallization of calcium silicate hydrate during hydro-thermal treatment of single crystals of quartz in saturated lime solutions were studied. Microscopic examination of sections of the product layer showed that the calcium silicate hydrate was of fibrous crystal habit and grew radially from nucleating centers in a general direction away from the quartz surface. X-ray diffraction established that the mineral was mainly xonotlite. The crystallization of the mineral did not follow the receding surface of the quartz; the product layer was extended only on the surface in contact with the lime solution. The silicate ions apparently diffused preferentially through the product layer although separate measurements proved that the membrane had no selective action against the diffusion of calcium ions. Plots of the weight of xonotlite versus square root of time gave straight lines indicating that the process was diffusion-controlled at 235° and 335°C.