HYDRATION CHARACTERISTICS OF BETA-C2S IN THE PRESENCE OF SOME ACCELERATORS

beta-dicalcium silicate (beta-C2S) is present in portland cement as be lite stabilized by some impurities. The hydration of beta-C2S is simil ar to that of C3S but with slower rate. Extensive investigation had be en done on the effect of CaCl2 as accelerator on the hydration of C3S but meager work had been done on belite (beta-C2S). The aim of the pre sent work is to investigate the effect of some accelerators such as Ca Cl2, Ca(NO3)(2), Ca(CH3COO)(2) and K2CO3 on the hydration of B2O3 stab ilized beta-C2S. The results show that the hydration of pure beta-C2S liberates Ca(OH)(2) up to 28 days which is consumed within 90 days. Th e hydration products are mainly tobermorite like phase with some CaCO3 . On the other side, the effect of accelerators consumes the liberated Ca(OH)(2) and accelerates the hydration of beta-C2S.