Transactions on Transport Sciences 2008, 1(1):13-20 | DOI: 10.5507/tots.2008.002

Scanning Electron Microscopy Method as a Tool for the Evaluation of Selected Materials Microstructure

K. Pospíšil*, A. Frýbort, A. Kratochvíl, J. Macháčková
Infrastructure and Environmental Division, CDV - Transport Research Centre, Brno, Czech Republic

This paper introduces CDV's research on microstructure evaluation of two selected materials used in pavements or structures, i.e. cement concrete and bitumen. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) has been used as the main equipment. In the case of cement concrete time-dependent changes in the microstructure of self-compacting concrete (SSC) are described. The microstructures and differences in void and pore system of matured SSC with commonly used micro-fillers are also shown here. In the case of bitumen the paper anticipates that the relationship between the composition, structure and usable properties of bitumen have not yet been clarified enough. The SEM method requires an appropriate preparation as the raw bitumen samples can not be watched directly. The oil fraction, precluding the observation, must be eliminated. Nevertheless, its removal may cause a modification of the original structure, and this might consequently have an impact on the results of the observation.

Keywords: SEM, microstructure, bitumen, concrete, cement

Published: March 1, 2008  Show citation

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Pospíšil, K., Frýbort, A., Kratochvíl, A., & Macháčková, J. (2008). Scanning Electron Microscopy Method as a Tool for the Evaluation of Selected Materials Microstructure. Transactions on Transport Sciences, 1(1), 13-20. doi: 10.5507/tots.2008.002
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