New approaches in microstructure analysis of cementitious materials: From micro to nano, from 2D to 3D and from qualitative to quantitative characterization

Title: New approaches in microstructure analysis of cementitious materials: From micro to nano, from 2D to 3D and from qualitative to quantitative characterization
Author(s): Lorenz Holzer, Beat Münch, Philippe Gasser
Paper category : conference
Book title: NICOM 2: 2nd International Symposium on Nanotechnology in Construction
Editor(s): Y. de Miguel, A. Porro and P.J.M. Bartos
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-87-X
e-ISBN: 2912143888
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2006
Pages: 133 - 141
Total Pages: 9
Nb references: 12
Language: English

Abstract: FIB-nanotomography is a new method for high resolution 3D-microscopy that was recently developed by the 3D-Mat group at Empa. With a resolution below 20nm, FIB-nt opens new possibilities for microstructure analysis of the complex cementitious materials, which can not be achieved with any other microscopy method at present.
In this paper the potential of FIB-nt for quantitative microstructure analysis is demonstrated for porosity in hardened cement pastes and, in combination with cryo-preparation methods, for agglomerations and early hydration products in fresh cement pastes. In combination with modern computational analysis, important topological and statistical information can be obtained from the high resolution 3D-data. As discussed in this paper, the new approaches of microstructure analysis will considerably improve our understanding of the micro-macro-link such as the relationship between porosity and the corresponding transport properties in hardened cementitious materials or the mechanisms of particle agglomeration and the influence on rheological properties in fresh cement pastes.

Online publication: 2005-11-17
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00