Studies of Cement-Admixture Interactions Related to Aluminate Hydration Control by Isothermal Calorimetry

Abstract

The old concept for optimum sulfate content in portland cement developed by Lerch in 1946 was further applied to study and explain cement-admixtures interactions related to the soluble content in systems with portland cement, mineral and chemical admixtures. It was shown that Lerch's criteria for optimum sulfate in portland cement based on isothermal calorimetry is applicable also for studies of modern systems with multiple binders and admixtures. Indirect evidence on the cause of some cement-admixture interactions was provided by means of testing for the effect of additional soluble sulfate added to the cement prior to testing.