Calcium Aluminate Cement Properties and Hydration Mechanisms
Summary
Calcium aluminate cements (CAC) are distinguished from Portland cements by their high alumina content and unique hydraulic phases. Upon mixing with water, CAC undergoes rapid dissolution of calcium and aluminium ions, followed by nucleation and growth of metastable hexagonal hydrates (CAH10 and C2AH8) that impart early strength and form a dense microstructure. Over time and under ambient or elevated temperatures these hexagonal phases convert into the more thermodynamically stable cubic hydrate (C3AH6), a process that increases porosity and may reduce long-term strength. The hydration sequence and conversion kinetics are strongly influenced by temperature, water–cement ratio, mineral additives and nanoparticle admixtures, which can accelerate or retard specific steps. Advanced techniques such as in-situ spectroscopy and calorimetry have elucidated the interplay between ionic supersaturation and crystal growth, revealing opportunities to tailor phase evolution. The combination of rapid strength gain, chemical resilience and refractory behaviour underpins CAC’s use in repair mortars, refractory castables, 3D‐printed concretes and nuclear waste encapsulation. Current research seeks to optimise durability by modulating phase conversion, refining microstructure and lowering environmental footprints through blended compositions.
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Calcium Aluminate Cement Properties and Hydration Mechanisms publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in calcium aluminate cement properties and hydration mechanisms across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Calcium aluminate cement: Hydraulic binder rich in aluminium oxide that forms calcium aluminate hydrates upon reaction with water.
Hydration kinetics: Rate processes governing dissolution of reactants and precipitation of solid hydrate phases during cement setting.
Phase conversion: Transformation of metastable hexagonal hydrates (CAH10, C2AH8) into stable cubic C3AH6, altering porosity and strength.
Ettringite (AFt): Needle-like calcium aluminate trisulfate hydrate that develops during early hydration and influences setting and strength.
Monocarbonate (AFm): Layered calcium aluminate carbonate hydrate formed during late hydration, affecting durability and pore structure.
Rheology: Flow and deformation behaviour of cementitious pastes under applied stresses, critical for handling and placement performance.
References
- Exploiting in-situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy to probe the early stages of hydration of calcium aluminate cement. Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (2019).
- Effect of Colloidal Silica on the Hydration Behavior of Calcium Aluminate Cement. Materials (2018).
- Early-age rheology and hydration control of ternary binders for 3D printing applications. Cement and Concrete Research (2022).
- Temperature-dependent late hydration of calcium aluminate cement in a mix with calcite – Potential of G-factor quantification combined with GEMS-predicted phase content. Cement (2021).
- Effects of Fly Ash Composition to Mitigate Conversion of Calcium Aluminate Cement Composites. Buildings (2023).
- Environmental Impact and Sustainability of Calcium Aluminate Cements. Sustainability (2022).
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