Understanding expansion in calcium sulfoaluminate–belite cements

Calcium sulfoaluminate–belite (CSAB) cements are promoted as sustainable alternatives to portland cement because of their lower energy and CO2 emissions during production and comparable performance. However, the formation of ettringite, the main hydration product in CSAB cements, can be expansive, sometimes resulting in cracking. The factors controlling expansive behavior in CSAB cements have not been completely elucidated. In this study, three CSAB cements synthesized from reagent-grade chemicals with varied phase compositions were examined for dimensional stability in water and sulfate solutions. The interdependent effects of C4A3Ŝ (Ye'elimite) content, calcium sulfate content, water-to-cement ratio, and particle fineness on CSAB cement expansion were evaluated. The results show that the expansive behavior can be controlled by altering chemical and physical factors in CSAB clinker, cement, and paste.