Epoxy impregnation procedure for hardened-cement samples. Progress report

Technical Report · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6162521

Struble, L; Stutzman, P

A method was previously developed for epoxy impregnation of hydrated cementitious materials for microscopical examination without drying the samples, by sequentially replacing pore solution with ethanol, then the ethanol with epoxy. During subsequent application of the procedure, many specimens were cured. Studies were carried out to identify the cause of these problems and to modify the procedure for more reliable impregnation. Contamination with low levels (4%) of water or ethanol was found to prevent proper curing. Modifications in the procedure to prevent contamination, including monitoring the replacement of pore solution by ethanol, were shown to provide consistent and reliable impregnation.

• Research Organization: National Inst. of Standards and Technology (NEL), Gaithersburg, MD (USA). Center for Building Technology
• OSTI ID: 6162521
• Report Number(s): PB-89-147821/XAB; NBSIR-88/3702
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CEMENTS
CURING
IMPREGNATION
EPOXIDES
CRACKS
MICROSCOPY
POROSITY
PROGRESS REPORT
VISCOSITY
BUILDING MATERIALS
DOCUMENT TYPES
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
360601* - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture