Examining cement-based materials by laser scanning confocal microscopy

Abstract

While laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) is widely used in a variety of fields, LSCM has not been broadly applied for the characterization of cement-based materials, despite the potential advantages of this technique. It is believed that the use of confocal microscopy for characterizing cement-based materials would be expanded by the further development of sample preparation and examination protocols. Three imaging methodologies: (1) “through-aggregate” examination, (2) wet-chemistry studies, and (3) surface characterization; and their potential applications to cement-based materials are described.