Influence of orthophosphate ions on the dissolution of tricalcium silicate

Tricalcium silicate dissolution in the presence of orthophosphate ions was monitored by measuring the concentrations of calcium and silicate ions in dilute suspensions using a special dissolution cell coupled to an optical emission spectrometer. Results show that increasing adsorption of orthophosphate ions slows down the dissolution of Ca3SiO5 and that a calcium-phosphate precipitate may form at certain orthophosphate concentrations. These observations are correlated with results of calorimetric experiments carried out during the hydration of silica-rich cement pastes in the presence of the same salts.