Portlandite

Portlandite is a hydroxide-bearing mineral typically included in the oxide mineral class. It is the naturally occurring form of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and the calcium analogue of brucite (Mg(OH)2).

Portlandite
Portlandite and ettringite
General
CategoryOxide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ca(OH)2
IMA symbolPor
Strunz classification4.FE.05
Dana classification06.02.01.04
Brucite group
Crystal systemTrigonal
Crystal classHexagonal scalenohedral (3m)
H-M symbol: (3 2/m)
Space groupP3m1
Unit cella = 3.589 Å, c = 4.911 Å; Z = 1
Identification
ColorColorless, white to greenish white
Crystal habitHexagonal plates; commonly fibrous, powdery, massive.
CleavagePerfect on {0001}
TenacitySectile with flexible cleavage plates
Mohs scale hardness2
LusterPearly on cleavages
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.23
Optical propertiesUniaxial (−)
Refractive indexnω = 1.574 nε = 1.547
Birefringenceδ = 0.027
SolubilitySoluble in water producing an alkaline solution
Alters toAlters to CaCO3 on exposure to CO2 bearing waters
References
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