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Fantastic symbols of cement chemistry: How to use simple abbreviations to reveal the mystery of cement?
In the world of cement chemistry, a chemist's life is often complicated by complex chemical formulas. In order to simplify these tedious calculations and expressions, cement chemists created the Cement Chemist Notation (CCN). This symbology allows chemists to work more efficiently by presenting the various oxides in cement in a concise way. This article will provide an in-depth look at how this notation works and its potential applications in areas other than cement chemistry.
Abbreviation for oxide
The main oxides present in cement (such as calcium, silicon and oxides of various metals) have their own unique abbreviations. For example, in the main structure of cement, calcium oxide (CaO) and silicon oxide (SiO2) are the two most common components. These abbreviations for chemical ingredients make it clearer and more straightforward in discussions of cement formulations.
Convert hydroxide into oxide and free water
During the cement hydration process, the conversion of hydroxides such as calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is very important in mass balance calculations. This process allows chemists to better understand hydration reactions. Specifically, the conversion of hydroxide in the cement hardening body is:
Ca(OH)2 → CaO + H2O
Main phase changes of Portland cement
In unhydrated Portland cement, the four main crystal phases—C3S (tricalcium silica), C2S (dicalcium silica), C3A (tricalcium aluminum), and C4AF (tetrachromium aluminum iron)— Formed during high temperature calcination. The presence of these phases affects the properties and performance of cement, and rigorous calculations are required to determine their content. In addition, in order to prevent the concrete from hardening quickly, 2-5 weight percent calcium sulfate (CaSO4) will be added to the cement, which can be expressed as CS by CCN.
The complexity of hydrated cement slurry
The cement slurry after the hydration reaction is relatively complicated because many of the products have similar chemical formulas and some are solid solutions, which are difficult to distinguish when arranging. In the case of C-S-H (calcium silica hydrate), its variable composition makes understanding and communicating its properties more difficult.
Applications in ceramics and glass
Cement chemical symbols are not limited to the cement field, but also apply to other chemical fields such as ceramics and glass. For example, the chemical formula of bentonite can be described in terms of oxides, demonstrating the broad application potential of CCN. In addition, this notation can help chemists understand material properties more comprehensively and further promote the progress of related research.
Potential applications of CCN in mineralogy
Although the current practice of applying CCN in mineralogy is not yet widely developed, its potential for describing silicate and oxide reactions deserves attention. For example, there are similar chemical reaction characteristics between the hydration process of cement's dicalcium silicide (belite) and the hydration process of natural forsterite (serpentinization), demonstrating the effectiveness of CCN in comparing mineral reactions.
In summary, the cement chemistry notation provides an efficient way of communicating cement chemistry and demonstrates its applicability in other fields. As chemical research develops, can this simplified symbology continue to evolve and have broader implications?
