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The Hindu : Adding water to Portland cement to form the water-cement paste starts a chemical reaction that makes the pastea bonding agent. This paste holds the aggregate particles together. This reaction, called hydration, produces a stone-like substance — hardened cement paste.
Both the rate and degree of hydration, and the resulting strength of the final concrete, depend on the curing process that follows placing and consolidating the plastic concrete.
Hydration continues indefinitely at a decreasing rate as long as the mixture contains water and the temperature conditions are favourable. Once the water is removed, hydration ceases and cannot be restarted.
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