Formation of ettringite in Portland cement/calcium aluminate cement/calcium sulfate ternary system hydrates at lower temperatures

► Study on ettringite in the PC/CAC/CS¯ system hydrates at 0, 5, 10 and 20°C. ► The strength development are dependent on the variety of CS¯ at 0, 5, 10 and 20°C. ► The formation rate and quantity of ettringite are sensitive to CS¯ variety. To explore the formation of ettringite at lower temperatures in the Portland cement/calcium aluminate cement/calcium sulfate ternary system hydrates, the effect of calcium sulfate variety on the setting time of the ternary system and the strength development of its mortars at 0, 5, 10 and 20°C were investigated. The formation of ettringite was further analyzed using XRD and ESEM. The results show that, as temperature increases, both initial and final setting time are shortened and that compressive and flexural strength are enhanced. In particular, mortars with anhydrite develop higher strength between 0 and 10°C but lower strength at 20°C than those with hemihydrate. Further, pastes with anhydrite set faster than those with hemihydrate. It is also found that both the formation rate and amount of ettringite are sensitive to temperature and calcium sulfate variety.