Dissolution and initial hydration behavior of tricalcium aluminate in low activity sulfate solutions

Influences of alkali or alkaline earth sulfates on the hydration of cubic tricalcium aluminate (C3A) were evaluated by in situ dissolution rate measurements, by ex situ near-surface composition measurements with secondary ion mass spectrometry, and by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction to monitor precipitation of hydration products. Both slight reductions in dissolution rate and cation-specific interactions with the solid were observed. The near-surface Ca/Al ratio is significantly lower after some dissolution and the electrolyte cations are incorporated within the surface with different affinities (Mg2+ > K+ > Na+). An interfacial dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism may explain the observations as well as, or better than, a simple cation exchange. The sulfate concentration in solution affects the rates of both C3A dissolution and precipitation of hydration products. Sulfate ions likely adsorb at the hydrous Al-rich surface layer, thereby reducing the dissolution rate of aluminates and delaying the precipitation of aluminate hydration products.