Self-healing cement materials – microscopic techniques

Marta Dudek

marta.dudek@pk.edu.pl
Chair of Building Materials Engineering; Faculty of Civil Engineering; Cracow University of Technology; (Poland)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0658-6922

Abstract

The article presents a general classification of intelligent materials with self-healing (self-repairing) properties, focusing on self-healing cementitious materials. The purpose of the paper is to describe the prospects of two of the most popular micro-observation techniques, i.e. with the use of an optical and scanning electron microscope. In addition, it describes the advantages of using a tensile stage mounted in the microscope chamber for testing self-healing materials. The advantages and disadvantages of these devices have been characterized, and the results of preliminary research have been provided. The tests include the optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations of the microstructure of cracks before and after the process of healing. They were carried out using ZEISS Discovery V20 optical microscope and ZEISS EVO-MA 10 scanning electron microscope on mortar samples modified with macro capsules filled with polymer. In addition to observations, chemical analysis was performed with the use of an EDS detector. The microscopic observations and chemical analyses provide the basis for assessing the effectiveness of the self-healing process, showing that the crack has been healed. Moreover, the preliminary results of the tests of micro-mechanical properties, carried out with the use of a tensile stage, have been described. The problems of using this research technique are also listed. This study shows the usefulness of this kind of tests for microcapsules for self-healing materials.


Keywords:

optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile stage, self-healing cementitious materials, micro-mechanical properties

Takagi T., "Present state and future of the intelligent materials and systems in Japan", Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structure, no. 10, (1999), pp. 575-581.
  Google Scholar

"Polimery są materiałami przyszłości", Chemia i Biznes., no. 3, (2015), Available: https://www.chemiaibiznes.com.pl/aktualnosc/polimery-sa-materialami-przyszlosci [Accessed: 25 Nov 2019]
  Google Scholar

Zwaag S. (ed), "Self-healing materials, an alternative approach to 20 centuries of materials science", Springer Series in Materials Science, vol. 100, Springer, Dordrecht 2007.
  Google Scholar

Hager M.D. et al., (2010). "Self-healing materials", Advanced Materials, pp. 5424-543, https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201003036, quoted after: Zając B., Gołebiowska I., "Procesy odtwórcze w materiałach cementowych", Inżynieria i Aparatura Chemiczna vol. 55, no. 3, (2016), pp.112-113.
  Google Scholar

Rooij M. et al., State-of-the-Art Reports, Self-Healing Phenomenain Cement-Based Materials. Editors Technical Committee 221-SHC: Self-Healing Phenomenain Cement-Based Materials. Springer 2013.
  Google Scholar

Tziviloglou E. et al., "Bio-based Self-healing Mortar: An Experimental and Numerical Study", Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, vol. 15, no. 9, (2017), pp. 536-543. https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.15.536
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.15.536   Google Scholar

Alghamri R. Kanellopoulos A. Al-Tabbaa., "Impregnation and encapsulation of lightweight aggregates for self-healing concrete", Construction and Building Materials, no. 124, (2016), pp. 910-921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.07.143
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.07.143   Google Scholar

Qureshi T.S., Kanellopoulos A., Al-Tabbaa., "Encapsulation of expansive powder minerals within a concentric glass capsule system for self-healing concrete”, Construction and Building Materials, no. 121, (2016), pp. 629-643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.030
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.030   Google Scholar

Al-Ansari M., et al., "Performance of modified self-healing concrete with calcium nitrate microencapsulation", Construction and Building Materials, no. 149, (2017), pp. 525-534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.152
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.152   Google Scholar

Dong B. W. et al., "Smart releasing behavior of a chemical self-healing microcapsule in the stimulated concrete pore solution", Cement and Concrete Composites, no. 56, (2015), pp .46-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.10.006
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.10.006   Google Scholar

Yildirim G. et al., "A review of intrinsic self-healing capability of engineered cementitious composites: Recovery of transport and mechanical properties", Construction and Building Materials, no. 101, (2015), pp. 10-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.018   Google Scholar


Published
2020-06-30

Cited by

Dudek, M. (2020) “Self-healing cement materials – microscopic techniques”, Budownictwo i Architektura, 19(2), pp. 033–040. doi: 10.35784/bud-arch.1494.

Authors

Marta Dudek 
marta.dudek@pk.edu.pl
Chair of Building Materials Engineering; Faculty of Civil Engineering; Cracow University of Technology; Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0658-6922

Statistics

Abstract views: 420
PDF downloads: 9662 PDF downloads: 43 PDF downloads: 64


License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Budownictwo i Architektura supports the open science program. The journal enables Open Access to their publications. Everyone can view, download and forward articles, provided that the terms of the license are respected.

Publishing of articles is possible after submitting a signed statement on the transfer of a license to the Journal.