“…The sulfate-binding phase, ettringite, was observed in all of the clay mixes. The rich alumina content in calcined kaolin clay formed tetra calcium aluminate hydrates (C 4 AH 13 ) after reacting with portlandite, which reacted with sulfate ions in seawater, enhancing sulfate binding through the formation of ettringites. − As shown in Figure b, needlelike ettringites were found filling up the voids of the binder matrix even at an early age (28 days); at 90 days, the width of these needles increased in size. Similarly, chloride ions from seawater bound with calcium aluminate hydrates and formed hydrocalumite, , which is evident in Figure c; these mineral formations were also mostly observed in the pores.…”