A flow-through method for measuring the dissolution rate of alite and Portland cement clinker

A flow-through method for measuring dissolution rates of cement minerals is described. The quantity of dissolved material is measured after the dissolution experiment from SEM-BSE images. This makes it possible to measure dissolution rates of individual phases in multiphase cements. The SEM images also directly show if precipitation (hydration) occurred and how the surface roughness changed during dissolution. Furthermore, the method is designed for the purpose of determining if dissolution rate is reaction- or diffusion-controlled, by changing water flow rate or by calculating expected diffusion fluxes. Dissolution rates of flat-ground Portland cement clinker and synthesized alite in deionized water were measured to demonstrate the potential of the method. Initial dissolution rates at lower flow rates were transport-controlled as indicated by the flow rate dependency and predicted diffusion fluxes. The highest alite dissolution rate measured in this study was 93 μmol/m2/s.