Hydrate layer measurement of C3S and C2S mixtures up to 28 days

Understanding the growth rate of hydrate layers around clinker grains is essential for accurately modelling the hydration process of cementitious materials. This study extends a previously developed Python-based tool to investigate hydrate layer thickness (HLT) in mixtures of alite (C3S) and belite (C2S) at various ages up to 28 days. SEM-BSE images were segmented using threshold-based methods to statistically evaluate HLT distributions. The results confirm that C3S hydration progresses significantly faster than C2S hydration. In multi-phase mixtures, a slight retardation of C3S hydration was observed as C2S content increased, alongside a more pronounced formation of Hadley grains around C2S particles.