Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) are commonly performed to study the hydration products in cement pastes. The three methods were compared in this frame to detect products of cement hydration at different ages, especially at early ages (before 24h ages). The results indicate from the present experiment that CH (Calcium hydroxide) can be detected by three methods at all ages; C-S-H can be distinguished by FT-IR at all ages; ettringite may be detected by FT-IR before 24h ages and by XRD at all ages; and monosulphate can be detected by FT-IR before 24h ages. The process of cement hydration, characterized by formation and development of some hydration products, can be clearly observed by three methods. FT-IR is suggested for detecting the major hydration products before 24h ages, FT-IR and XRD are suggested for detecting the major hydration products after 24h ages, and thermal analysis is suggested for analyzing the degree of hydration quantitatively.
