MX3 hydration: Kinetics and Mechanisms

This lecture covers the kinetic aspects and underlying mechanisms of MX3 hydration, focusing on the global reactions, exothermic behavior, acceleration, deceleration, and the role of sulfate ions. It delves into the deceptive level of connection in 2D images, the formation of ettringite, and the theories of dissolution from geochemistry. The impact of water-to-cement ratio, the role of C-S-H growth, and the Avrami equation in cement hydration are discussed. The lecture also explores the evidence against diffusion, the incomplete layer of hydration products, and the main hypotheses for the slowdown in the reaction. It concludes with a summary of the main peak and open questions regarding the control of C-S-H growth.