Probing development of microstructure of early cement paste using 1H low-field NMR

Development of microstructure of early cement paste (0–6 h) was investigated with 1H low-field NMR. It was found that T2 (transverse relaxation time) distributions of fresh cement paste were bimodal and two peaks were ‘long component’ and ‘short component’. Separation degree of two peaks was a sign of exchange of water within flocculation and outside flocculation. Factors such as water cement ratio, specific surface area and dosage of superplasticizer had influences on the separation degree: the separation degree increased with the water cement ratio; the separation degree of cement paste prepared with cement with a high specific surface area was zero; dosage of superplasticizer will decrease separation degree. Results also suggested that T2 distribution gradually moved to the left and T2 of long component and initial fluidity were linearly correlated.