Understanding the Microstructure of Mortars for Cultural Heritage Using X-ray CT and MIP

In this study, the microstructure of mock-up mortar specimens for a historic environment, composed of different mixtures, was studied using mercury intrusion porosity (MIP) and microcomputed tomography (µCT), highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of both techniques. Porosity, sphericity, and por...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials 2021-10, Vol.14 (20), p.5939
Main Authors: Brunello, Valentina, Canevali, Carmen, Corti, Cristina, De Kock, Tim, Rampazzi, Laura, Recchia, Sandro, Sansonetti, Antonio, Tedeschi, Cristina, Cnudde, Veerle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical chemistry
Building materials
Cement
Chemical Sciences
Computed tomography
Construction materials
Contact angle
Cultural heritage
Cultural resources
Data processing
Environmental scanning
Gypsum
Hydraulics
Limestone
Mechanical properties
Microstructure
Mortars (material)
Pore size
Porosity
Scanning electron microscopy
Size distribution
Software
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Summary:In this study, the microstructure of mock-up mortar specimens for a historic environment, composed of different mixtures, was studied using mercury intrusion porosity (MIP) and microcomputed tomography (µCT), highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of both techniques. Porosity, sphericity, and pores size distribution were studied, evaluating changes according to mortar composition (aerial and hydraulic binders, quartz sand, and crushed limestone aggregate). The µCT results were rendered using 3D visualization software, which provides complementary information for the interpretation of the data obtained using 3D data-analysis software. Moreover, µCT contributes to the interpretation of MIP results of mortars. On the other hand, MIP showed significant ink-bottle effects in lime and cement mortars samples that should be taken into account when interpreting the results. Moreover, the MIP results highlighted how gypsum mortar samples display a porosity distribution that is best studied using this technique. This multi-analytical approach provides important insights into the interpretation of the porosimetric data obtained. This is crucial in the characterization of mortars and provides key information for the study of building materials and cultural heritage conservation.
ISSN:1996-1944
1996-1944
DOI:10.3390/ma14205939