Scanning electron microscopy concrete

U.T. Bezerra R.M. Ferreira J.P. Castro-Gomes. Concrete with latex and biopolymer, part II scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray diffraction. ICPIC 2010, Universidade do Minho, Madeira, 10-12 February (2010), p. 95-100. 

Keywords Reinforced concrete, polymer coating, hydration, nuclear magnetic resonance. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. 

For electron microscopic investigations, cut and cleaved samples were prepared as described previously from 15x15x100 mm cast concrete-bars containing a continuous roving in the centre [8]. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were recorded on a Hitachi S-3000N. 

Grattan-Bellew, P.E. Quinn, E.G. and Sereda, P.J., "Reliability of Scanning Electron Microscopy Information," Cement and Concrete Research, ol. 8,1978, pp. 333-342. 

Stutzman, P.E., "Applications of Scanning Electron Microscopy in Cement and Concrete Petrography," Petrography of Cementitious Materials, ASTM STP 1215, DeHayes and Stark, eds., American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1994, pp. 74-90. 

Generally, latex-modified mortar and concrete provide a good workability over conventional cement mortar and concrete. This is mairdy interpreted in terms of improved consistency due to the ball bearing action of polymer particles and entrained air and the dispersing effect of surfactants in the latexes. Tateyashiki, et al.f 1 proved by zeta-potential determination and cryo-scanning electron microscopy that the improved consistency or fluidity is due to the ball bearing action of the polymer particles among cement particles. 

Ramachandran, V. S. and J. J. Beaudoin. 2001. Handbook of Analytical Techniques in Concrete Science and Technology. Building Materials Science Series. Norwich, NY Noyes Publications. A handbook of analytical techniques for new types of concrete and related materials. The techniques range from chemical and thermal analysis to IR and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, computer modeling, and more. Available online on Knovel. 

On the other hand, cement pastes corresponding to all different types of concrete mixes were also prepared with the same water-to-binder ratio of concretes and followed similar curing conditions to those of mortars and concretes. Small portions were cut from the 50-mm cube to perform scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XRD, MIP, and thermal analyses (DTA/TGA) of control paste and pastes containing FA and combined FA and NC. 

The scanning electron microscopy analysis of composites reveals that cement paste melamine aggregates adhesion is imperfect and weak. Also, The scanning electron microscopy shows that with an increase of replacement ratio of materials of lightweight concrete by melamine plastic aggregates, the pores and cavernous in the stmcture of the lightweight concrete were increased. 

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