Micro- and nano-X-ray computed-tomography: A step forward in the characterization of the pore network of a leached cement paste
- Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), CNRS, IRD, CEREGE UM34, BP 80, 13545 Aix-en-Provence, Cedex 4 (France)
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, IUSTI UMR 7343, 13013 Marseille (France)
- INERIS, Parc Technologique Alata, BP2, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte (France)
Pore structure of leached cement pastes (w/c = 0.5) was studied for the first time from micro-scale down to the nano-scale by combining micro- and nano-X-ray computed tomography (micro- and nano-CT). This allowed assessing the 3D heterogeneity of the pore network along the cement profile (from the core to the altered layer) of almost the entire range of cement pore size, i.e. from capillary to gel pores. We successfully quantified an increase of porosity in the altered layer at both resolutions. Porosity is increasing from 1.8 to 6.1% and from 18 to 58% at the micro-(voxel = 1.81 μm) and nano-scale (voxel = 63.5 nm) respectively. The combination of both CT allowed to circumvent weaknesses inherent of both investigation scales. In addition the connectivity and the channel size of the pore network were also evaluated to obtain a complete 3D pore network characterization at both scales.
- OSTI ID:
- 22395941
- Journal Information:
- Cement and Concrete Research, Journal Name: Cement and Concrete Research Vol. 67; ISSN 0008-8846; ISSN CCNRAI
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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