Calcium silicate hydrate(C-S-H)
Insights into the Very Early Nucleation and Crystallization
C-S-H or calcium silicate hydrate presents the main hydration product of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). C-S-H is generated from the hydration of the dicalcium silicate (C2S) and tricalcium silicate (C3S) phases via a dissolution-precipitation mechanism and presents the binding phase which is responsible for the strength and durability properties in hardened cement.
Generally, C-S-H exhibits a low crystallinity and typically a Ca/Si molar ratio of ~ 1.6 - 1.8 in hardened cement. The layered structure of C-S-H consists of linear silicate chains which are aligned in “dreierketten” sequences and...
