Nature of the prismatic dark interstitial material in Portland cement clinker

Abstract

The prismatic dark interstitial material in Portland cement clinker is essentially identical with the stable solid solution phase in the system C3A-NC8A3; with rapid cooling, however, metastable extension of the solid solution series takes place, which is the prevailing mechanism of formation of the prismatic phase in works clinkers of low alkali content. The presence of SiO2 in the interstitial material favors the metastable formation by enhancing the supercooling of the liquid phase in clinker. © 1973.