ASTM C1723-16

Standard Guide for Examination of Hardened Concrete Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides information for the examination of hardened concrete using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX or EDS). Since the 1960s, SEM has been used for the examination of concrete and has proved to be an insightful tool for the microstructural analysis of concrete and its components. There are no standardized procedures for the SEM analysis of concrete. SEM supplements techniques of light microscopy, which are described in Practice C856, and, when applicable, techniques described in Practice C856 should be consulted for SEM analysis. For further study, see the bibliography at the end of this guide.  
1.2 This guide is intended to provide a general introduction to the application of SEM/EDS analytical techniques for the examination and analysis of concrete. It is meant to be useful to engineers and scientists who want to study concrete and who are familiar with, but not expert in, the operation and application of SEM/EDS technology. The guide is not intended to provide explicit instructions concerning the operation of this technology or interpretation of information obtained through SEM/EDS.  
1.3 It is critical that petrographer or operator or both be familiar with the SEM/EDX (EDS) equipment, specimen preparation procedures, and the use of other appropriate procedures for this purpose. This guide does not discuss data interpretation. Proper data interpretation is best done by individuals knowledgeable about the significance and limitations of SEM/EDX (EDS) and the materials being evaluated.  
1.4 The SEM provides images that can range in scale from a low magnification (for example, 15×) to a high magnification (for example, 50 000× or greater) of concrete specimens such as fragments, polished surfaces, or powders. These images can provide information indicating compositional or topographical variations in the observed specimen. The EDX (EDS) system can be used to qualitatively or quantitatively determine the elemental composition of very small volumes intersecting the surface of the observed specimen (for example, 1-10 cubic microns) and those measured compositional determinations can be correlated with specific features observed in the SEM image. See Note 1.
Note 1: An electronic document consisting of electron micrographs and EDX (EDS) spectra illustrating the materials, reaction products, and phenomena discussed below is available at http://netfiles.uiuc.edu/dlange/www/CML/index.html.  
1.5 Performance of SEM and EDX (EDS) analyses on hardened concrete specimens can, in some cases, present unique challenges not normally encountered with other materials analyzed using the same techniques.  
1.6 This guide can be used to assist a concrete petrographer in performing or interpreting SEM and EDX (EDS) analyses in a manner that maximizes the usefulness of these techniques in conducting petrographic examinations of concrete and other cementitious materials, such as mortar and stucco. For a more in-depth, comprehensive tutorial on scanning electron microscopy or the petrographic examination of concrete and concrete-related materials, the reader is directed to the additional publications referenced in the bibliography section of this guide.  
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of electron microscopes, X-ray spectrometers, chemicals, and equipment used to prepare samples for electron microscopy. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2016
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.65 - Petrography

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C1723 − 16
Standard Guide for
Examination of Hardened Concrete Using Scanning Electron
1
Microscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1723; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope can be used to qualitatively or quantitatively determine the
elemental composition of very small volumes intersecting the
1.1 This guide provides information for the examination of
surface of the observed specimen (for example, 1-10 cubic
hardened concrete using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
microns) and those measured compositional determinations
combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX or
can be correlated with specific features observed in the SEM
EDS).Sincethe1960s,SEMhasbeenusedfortheexamination
image. See Note 1.
of concrete and has proved to be an insightful tool for the
NOTE 1—An electronic document consisting of electron micrographs
microstructural analysis of concrete and its components.There
and EDX (EDS) spectra illustrating the materials, reaction products, and
are no standardized procedures for the SEM analysis of
phenomena discussed below is available at http://netfiles.uiuc.edu/dlange/
concrete. SEM supplements techniques of light microscopy, www/CML/index.html.
which are described in Practice C856, and, when applicable,
1.5 Performance of SEM and EDX (EDS) analyses on
techniques described in Practice C856 should be consulted for
hardened concrete specimens can, in some cases, present
SEManalysis.Forfurtherstudy,seethebibliographyattheend
unique challenges not normally encountered with other mate-
of this guide.
rials analyzed using the same techniques.
1.2 This guide is intended to provide a general introduction
1.6 This guide can be used to assist a concrete petrographer
to the application of SEM/EDS analytical techniques for the
inperformingorinterpretingSEMandEDX(EDS)analysesin
examination and analysis of concrete. It is meant to be useful
a manner that maximizes the usefulness of these techniques in
toengineersandscientistswhowanttostudyconcreteandwho
conducting petrographic examinations of concrete and other
are familiar with, but not expert in, the operation and applica-
cementitious materials, such as mortar and stucco. For a more
tion of SEM/EDS technology. The guide is not intended to
in-depth, comprehensive tutorial on scanning electron micros-
provide explicit instructions concerning the operation of this
copyorthepetrographicexaminationofconcreteandconcrete-
technology or interpretation of information obtained through
related materials, the reader is directed to the additional
SEM/EDS.
publications referenced in the bibliography section of this
1.3 It is critical that petrographer or operator or both be guide.
familiar with the SEM/EDX (EDS) equipment, specimen
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
preparation procedures, and the use of other appropriate
asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
procedures for this purpose. This guide does not discuss data
standard.
interpretation. Proper data interpretation is best done by
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
individuals knowledgeable about the significance and limita-
safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of electron
tions of SEM/EDX (EDS) and the materials being evaluated.
microscopes, X-ray spectrometers, chemicals, and equipment
1.4 The SEM provides images that can range in scale from
used to prepare samples for electron microscopy. It is the
alowmagnification(forexample,15×)toahighmagnification
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(for example, 50 000× or greater) of concrete specimens such
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
as fragments, polished surfaces, or powders.These images can
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
provide information indicating compositional or topographical
variations in the observed specimen. The EDX (EDS) system
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and
Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.65 on
2
Petrography. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2016. Published October 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C1723 – 10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C1723-16. the ASTM webs
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C1723 − 10 C1723 − 16
Standard Guide for
Examination of Hardened Concrete Using Scanning Electron
1
Microscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1723; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides information for the examination of hardened concrete using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). (EDX or EDS). Since the 1960s, SEM has been used for the
examination of concrete and has proved to be an insightful tool for the microstructural analysis of concrete and its components.
There are no standardized procedures for the SEM analysis of concrete. SEM supplements techniques of light microscopy, which
are described in Practice C856, and, when applicable, techniques described in Practice C856 should be consulted for SEM analysis.
For further study, see the bibliography at the end of this guide.
This guide is intended to provide a general introduction to the application of SEM/EDS analytical techniques for the examination
and analysis of concrete. It is meant to be useful to engineers and scientists who want to study concrete and who are familiar with,
but not expert in, the operation and application of SEM/EDS technology. The guide is not intended to provide explicit instructions
concerning the operation of this technology or interpretation of information obtained through SEM/EDS.
It is critical that petrographer or operator or both be familiar with the SEM/EDX equipment, specimen preparation procedures,
and the use of other appropriate procedures for this purpose. This guide does not discuss data interpretation. Proper data
interpretation is best done by individuals knowledgeable about the significance and limitations of SEM/EDX and the materials
being evaluated.
1.2 This guide is intended to provide a general introduction to the application of SEM/EDS analytical techniques for the
examination and analysis of concrete. It is meant to be useful to engineers and scientists who want to study concrete and who are
familiar with, but not expert in, the operation and application of SEM/EDS technology. The guide is not intended to provide
explicit instructions concerning the operation of this technology or interpretation of information obtained through SEM/EDS.
1.3 It is critical that petrographer or operator or both be familiar with the SEM/EDX (EDS) equipment, specimen preparation
procedures, and the use of other appropriate procedures for this purpose. This guide does not discuss data interpretation. Proper
data interpretation is best done by individuals knowledgeable about the significance and limitations of SEM/EDX (EDS) and the
materials being evaluated.
1.4 The SEM provides images that can range in scale from a low magnification (for example, 15×) to a high magnification (for
example, 50 000× or greater) of concrete specimens such as fragments, polished surfaces, or powders. These images can provide
information indicating compositional or topographical variations in the observed specimen. The EDX (EDS) system can be used
to qualitatively or quantitatively determine the elemental composition of very small volumes intersecting the surface of the
observed specimen (for example, 1-10 cubic microns) and those measured compositional determinations can be correlated with
specific features observed in the SEM image. See Note 1.
NOTE 1—An electronic document consisting of electron micrographs and EDX (EDS) spectra illustrating the materials, reaction products, and
phenomena discussed below is available at http://netfiles.uiuc.edu/dlange/www/CML/index.html.
1.5 Performance of SEM and EDX (EDS) analyses on hardened concrete specimens can, in some cases, present unique
challenges not normally encountered with other materials analyzed using the same techniques.
1.6 This guide can be used to assist a concrete petrographer in performing or interpreting SEM and EDX (EDS) analyses in a
manner that maximizes the usefulness of these techniques in conducting petrographic examinations of concrete and other
cementitious materials, such as mortar and stucco. For a more in-depth, comprehensive tutorial on scanning electron microscopy
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the
...