Interaction effect of triisopropanolamine and glucose on the hydration of Portland cement

This study addresses the hydration mechanism of a P.II 52.5R cement in the presence of triisopropanolamine (TIPA), glucose or both. Calorimetry tests showed that the interaction effect of TIPA and glucose significantly enhanced the degree of hydration of the cement after 7 days. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the addition of glucose promoted C₄AF dissolution by TIPA. The accelerated C₄AF hydration yielded a reduced CH content and an increased amount of chemically combined water. Due to the delayed acceleration effect of glucose, the hydrate products were characterised by a high surface area. Furthermore, our results showed that the addition of TIPA promotes the formation of carboaluminate and the AFm phase when the limestone is in the presence of cement.