Article | REF: IN237 V1

Characterization of cement-based materials by infrared spectroscopy

Author: Matthieu HORGNIES

Publication date: July 10, 2020

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ABSTRACT

Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy shows several advantages that make this technique interesting to study the cementitious materials. This article will exemplify the use of this method, simple and quick to manage, to detect the major anhydrous phases of the clinker (or grounded cement) but also numerous hydrated cement phases. The overall composition of mortars and concretes, as well as that of their surface, can be readily characterized by infrared spectroscopy in combination with other methods. A final area of application is the study of the interface between the cement-based and polymer-based materials.

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AUTHOR

  • Matthieu HORGNIES: Doctor of Materials Science and Engineering, HDR - Research Manager, LafargeHolcim Innovation Center, Saint Quentin Fallavier, France

 INTRODUCTION

This work describes the advantages and limitations of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for analyzing cementitious materials (anhydrous Portland clinker phases, hydrated mineral phases, building materials containing cement paste (such as mortars and concretes). Unlike the analysis of organic products, polymers and coatings such as paint or varnish, FT-IR spectroscopy is relatively little used to study cementitious and hydraulically-setting materials. Indeed, other analytical methods such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) or X-ray diffraction (DX) are often preferred when it comes to characterizing these materials. However, FT-IR spectroscopy was already used in the 1970s to characterize the anhydrous phases of clinker, and has a number of advantages that make it an interesting addition to the range of methods for characterizing cementitious materials.

In this article, a number of applied results will be described, together with relevant bibliographical references for those wishing to delve deeper into the subject. Firstly, the main analysis modes generally available on a FT-IR spectrometer will be briefly described: (i) the transmission mode (Tr); (ii) the attenuated total reflection mode (more commonly referred to as "ATR"); and (iii) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (more commonly referred to as "DRIFTS"). The advantages and limitations of IR-FT spectroscopy in the study of cementitious materials will then be explained. In a second section, an overview of the scientific literature will be presented, together with results for several types of application (anhydrous clinker phases, hydrated cementitious phases, mortar containing recycled materials, raw or coated concrete surfaces). Finally, a third section will describe some of the analytical techniques that can be used to complement FT-IR spectroscopy to analyze these cementitious materials.

Key points

Field: Imaging and analysis techniques

Degree of technology dissemination: Maturity

Technologies involved: Infrared spectroscopy

Applications: Cementitious building materials

Main French players :

  • competitiveness clusters: AXELERA, MATERALIA, MINALOGIC ;

  • Competence centers: C2RMF (Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France); ENS-LYON; INSA-Toulouse (Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions de Toulouse laboratory); Carnot de Bourgogne interdisciplinary laboratory (Interfaces department); Université de Lorraine (Matériaux optiques, Photonique et Systèmes laboratory); Université Gustave Eiffel (Institut français des sciences et technologies...

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KEYWORDS

protective coating   |   construction materials   |   FT-IR   |   cement phases


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Infrared spectroscopy characterization of cementitious materials