Assessing the effect of CaSO4 content on the hydration kinetics, microstructure and mechanical properties of cements containing sugars

This article aims to study the hydration kinetics of cements containing sugars. The effects of Portland cement constituents (including aluminate and ferrite phases and CaSO4 content), and a sugar (glucose) on the hydration kinetics, microstructure and mechanical properties, were evaluated. The heat release during the hydration was analysed using an isothermal calorimeter. The reaction's products, gel structure and microstructure at different hydration times were analysed by the analytical methods XRD, FTIR and SEM. Furthermore, mortars and wood-wool cement composites were designed to validate the present findings. It is concluded that the newly derived binder can overcome retarding effects and result in wood-wool cement composites with excellent performance.