Adhesive materials such as hydraulic cement are used in the building industry in order to bind building blocks together. Hydraulic cement contains specific chemicals that undergo a chemical reaction in the presence of water and make the substance harden. The hardened material is strong as well as waterproof.
Hydraulic cement contains a number of specific chemicals that undergo a hardening process when coming into contact with water. This process is known as hydration. Specific chemicals present within the material include tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate. The following chemical reactions occur when water reacts with these ingredients:
Tricalcium silicate + water --> calcium silicate hydrate + other chemical products
Dicalcium silicates + water --> calcium silicate hydrate + other chemical products
Calcium silicate hydrate has a network of short fibers that greatly increases the strength of the product while also making it water-tight.
