Advances in clinkering, hydration behavior, and properties of ye’elimite-containing low-carbon cement

Ye’elimite-based cements represent a low-carbon alternative to Portland cement, achieving 20%–63% CO2 reduction. This review elucidates advances in clinker design and hydration mechanisms governing performance. Ionic dopants of Ba2+/Sr2+ stabilize reactive cubic ye’elimite, B/Na promotes α-belite. Controlling the SO2 partial pressure can stabilize ternesite in belite-ye’elimite-ternesite (BYT) clinker at 1100 °C–1200 °C, and ZnO/CaF2 facilitated the coexistence of C3S and C4A3S¯ in alite-belite-ye’elimite (ABY) clinker. Early ye’elimite hydration forms AFt/AH3, providing rapid strength, while pore solution Al3+ initially retarded silicate dissolution. Later silicate activation, exemplified by Al-driven ternesite conversion to AFt/C2ASH8 in BYT, governs long-term performance. Dopants enhance dissolution but intensify the suppression of silicate hydration by elevated Al ions. Calcium sulfate type and dosage control AFt/AFm balance and strength development. Practical constraints involve optimizing w/c ratios to enhance hydration and capillary porosity, curing temperatures below 40 °C–50 °C to avoid detrimental AFt to AFm conversion, and optimizing alkalinity for AFt stability.