On the formation of bonds in tricalcium silicate pastes as observed by scanning electron microscopy

The role of the environmental scanning electron microscope in the investigation of cement‐based materials

“…The 16-h sample also showed the development of needle-like structures emanating from the amorphous layer. Similar results were noted by Bergstrom and Jennings (1992).…”

“…Within 30 min, an amorphous layer of product formed on the surface of the grains. A similar layer which developed within 30 min was also observed in C 3 S by Bergstrom and Jennings (1992). Further research into this topic showed that the layer forming on the surface of the cement grains was thicker and more continuous than that forming on the C 3 S particles (Sujata and Jennings 1992).…”

“…Second, changes in the morphology of C-S-H with drying and rewetting are relatively easy to document as the microstructures are sometimes very different in the wet and dry states. As shown earlier in Figure 1(a) and (b), many investigators have found that much of the C-S-H collapses upon drying (Bergstrom 1990;Bergstrom and Jennings 1992;Meredith et al 1995;Jennings. 1991a,b, 1992).…”

“…18, 7 (1996) FIG. 1 Comparison of an early hydration product from C 3 S paste at water/C 3 S= 0.5 (by weight) hydrated for 30 min as viewed in (a) an ESEM (horizontal field of view=22.8 µm), and (b) a conventional SEM (horizontal field of view=20.0 µm), (Bergstrom and Jennings 1992).…”