Calcium silicate hydrate (II) (“C-S-H(II)”)

This semicrystalline phase, originally named ‘calcium silicate hydrate(II)’ by Taylor (1950), has been studied with X-rays, electron optics, chemical investigation of silicate anion type, infrared spectra, and thermal methods. It is structurally related to jennite (C₉S₆H₁₁) and probably also to the fibrous CSH of cement pastes, the three phases forming a sequence of decreasing crystallinity. The specimen studied had approximate composition C₂SH_3.2 after standing over saturated CaCλ₂ at about 15°C. CSH(II) contains metasilicate chains and pyrosilicate groups and has a disordered layer structure. Much of the water can be lost reversibly without significant change in lattice parameters.