MICROCALORIMETRY IN THE CEMENT HYDRATION PROCESS

Abstract

This paper presents a differential microcalorimetric system made in laboratory, designed to enable scientific research into the process of hydration in setting materials. The differential calorimeter presented has neither isothermal nor adiabatic properties, and may be listed among both isoperibolic and conduction calorimeters. This paper describes the microcalorimeter and its operation, indicating properties required and the calibration of the device. The reproducibil- ity and the statistical processing of the results obtained by means of this device were established when the microcalorimeter was used to determine the hydration heat in a sample of Portland cement. The results were processed by a computer, which provided a basis for calculation of hydration kinetics, the rate constant, and the activation energy of hydration.