Papers by Keyword: Critical Size of Cluster of Portlandite

Abstract: A very early stage of cement paste hydration is studied at microscopic level of description. Within context of nucleation theory the critical (and, thus, growable) size of clusters of calcium hydroxide (so-called portlandite) is estimated for chosen water to cement ratios at given temperature. Furthermore, also the barrier of portlandite nulceation is determined. It is shown that these static characteristics of process are practically unchanged contrary to number density of portlandite critical clusters formed in unit volume of mixture per unit time.