Hydration Mechanism of Gypsum–Slag Gel Materials

This study investigated the hydration mechanism of gypsum–slag cement gel. Experimental results indicated that products of hydration of gypsum slag cement gel materials were predominantly zeolite minerals and amorphous gel materials that had a chemical structure similar to that of zeolites mineral. Under standard curing conditions, rodlike and cubic shapes of zeolite minerals formed with a relatively small crystal sizes. Citrate retarders were able to control the generation mechanism of various minerals in slurry; change the hydration products in the semihydrated gypsum with respect to concretion, numbers, and percentage before hardening; and affect the structure of the hardened products.