Microstructural evolution and texture analysis of magnesium phosphate cement

Three‐dimensional quantitative image analysis from synchrotron X‐ray micro-computed tomography indicated a coarsening of the microstructure of magnesium potassium phosphate cements driven by crystallization of K‐struvite from the first amorphous product. Porosity and pore surface area increased because of the progres-sive build‐up of a network of elongated/tabular crystal domains, with density higher than the amorphous. The known increase in strength with time is thought to occur thanks to the overwhelming contribution of a developing interlocked lath‐shaped microstructure. Combined X‐ray and neutron diffraction texture analysis indicated that at least a fraction of K‐struvite nucleates at the surface of MgO grains, suggest-ing the intervention of more than one crystallization mechanism. The detected weak texture, compatible with a nearly random orientation of crystallites, and the isotropic pore fabric, are beneficial with respect to crack propagation.