Hydrothermal and X-ray studies of the garnet-hydrogarnet series and the relationship of the series to hydration products of Portland cement

Isometric tricalcium aluminate hexahydrate, one of the well-established products of hydration of portland cement, forms complete solid solutions with the corresponding ferrite, 3CaO.Fe20a.6H20, with grossularite garnet, 3CaO.AhOa. 3Si02, and with andradite garnet, 3CaO.Fe20a.3Si02. Members of this solidsolution series were synthesized by hydrothermal methods, and X-ray determinations were made of their crystal structures. To the series belong: (1) The mineral plazolite, 3CaO.AhOa.2Si02.2R20, (2) the major product of hydration of the glass phase in portland cement clinker at elevated temperatures and pressures, and (3) one of the major products of hydration of tetracaleium aluminoferrite.