When water is added to cement, the ingredients of cement react chemically with water and form various complicated chemical compounds. The formation of these compounds is not simultaneous. But Setting Action Of Cement continues for a long time. The mixing of cement and water results in a sticky cement paste and it goes on gradually thickening till it achieves a rock-like state.
It is found that ordinary cement achieves about 70% of its final strength in 28 days and about 90% of its final strength in one year or so.
Following are the important compounds formed during the Setting Action Of Cement: