Tricalcium aluminate hexahydrate (3CaO-Al
2O
3·6H
2O or C
3AH
6) is known as a stable phase which is generally formed by hydration of anhydrous calcium aluminate.
Synthesis of C
3AH
6 from calcium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide was investigated. The starting mixture was heated at various temperatures in aqueous solutions under the atmospheric pressure. Thermal dehydration of synthesized C
3AH
6 was studied by means of an X-ray diffractometer and a scanning electron microscope. The rehydration process of heat-treated C
3AH
6 was observed. The results obtained are as follows :
(1) C
3AH
6 can be obtained from a mixture of calcium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide below 100°C in aqueous solutions under the atmospheric pressure.
(2) During the synthesis of C
3AH
6, a mixture of calcium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide in aqueous solutions should not be exposed to air containing carbon dioxide.
(3) At about 300°C, C
3AH
6 is decomposed to C
12A
7H and calcium hydroxide. Calcium hydroxide is dehydrated into calcium oxide at 400°C. At temperature above 1000°C, C
12A
7H (or C
12A
7) and calcium oxide recombine to form C
3A.
(4) C
12A
7H containing calcium hydroxide (C
12A
7H
*) which is prepared by decomposition of C
3AH
6 accelerates the setting of ordinary portland cement (O. P. C.), but it decreases the compressive strength of it.
(5) The early strengths of O. P. C. are increased by adding mixtures of C
12A
7H
* and anhydrous gypsum II.
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