Nanoscratch Study of the Modification Effects of on C─ S─ H Gel/Cement Grain Interfaces
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 9
Abstract
The modification effects of on properties of the interface region between cement grain and C─ S─ H gel in cement-based composites are investigated by means of the nanoscratch technique. The nanoscratch test involves driving a Berkovich diamond tip across the interface boundary perpendicularly and recording the lateral force while the normal load applied to the indenter is kept constant. The coefficient of friction (COF), defined as the ratio of lateral force to normal load, indicates an interfacial width close to 200 nm, which is irrelevant to the addition of . However, the COF value within the interface region decreases significantly if is incorporated. The decreased friction between the indenter and the interface is mainly attributed to the reduction of adhesion friction, because the addition of has a densification effect on the interface. This study further confirms that addition is beneficial for the formation of a denser layer surrounding the unhydrated cement particles in early hydration ages.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge financial support for this study from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51378011). This work made use of the EPIC and NIFTI facility (NUANCE Center, Northwestern University), which has received support from the MRSEC program (NSF DMR-1121262) at the Materials Research Center, the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (EEC-0118025/003)—both programs of the National Science Foundation—the State of Illinois, and Northwestern University.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 9 • September 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 15, 2016
Accepted: Jan 5, 2017
Published ahead of print: Apr 14, 2017
Published online: Apr 15, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Sep 15, 2017
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