Structural evolution of hydrated cement compacts

This paper provides a simplified and repeatable method for research on morphology and structure evolution of hydrated cement. Dry cement powders were compacted in a steel mould to absorb water for hydration. Cement compacts and hydrated compacts were characterized by capillary absorption, MIP, SEM-EDS or synchrotron small-angel X-ray scattering (SAXS). Results show water is fully saturated in the homogenous compacts. Followed by repeatable preparation of cement compacts, pore structure of hydrated cement compacts are also repeatedly. Hydration products are preferentially produced near cement particles due to difficulty of ions diffusion at later hydration of cement compact. Therefore, lager pore far from cement particles is less filled and smaller pore near cement particles is more filled. Simplified processing and structural evolution of hydrating cement will benefit to design and control of cement materials.