The hydration of hydraulic active calcium germanates: Part 1. The early hydration of tricalcium germanate

The initial hydration of Ca₃GeO₅ was studied using various techniques. Although the structure of tricalcium germanate is isotypic to tricalcium silicate, the hydraulic activity is different. Tricalcium germanate reacts with water very rapidly and an induction period could not be observed. In general, the early hydration of tricalcium germanate has received the same attention that that of tricalcium aluminate has. Also, heat evolution experiments show results similar to those of tricalcium aluminate. In contrast to tricalcium silicate, all the hydration products of tricalcium germanate are crystalline. Concerning the reaction mechanism of tricalcium germanate hydration, the formation of a reaction layer which determines the continuation of the hydration is proposed.