ASTM C1723-16(2022)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Examination of Hardened Concrete Using Scanning Electron Microscopy
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/C856M, and, when applicable, techniques described in Practice C856/C856M 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in ...
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1723 − 16 (Reapproved 2022)
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/C856M, and, when
1.5 Performance of SEM and EDX (EDS) analyses on
applicable, techniques described in Practice C856/C856M
hardened concrete specimens can, in some cases, present
should be consulted for SEM analysis. For further study, see
unique challenges not normally encountered with other mate-
the bibliography at the end of this guide.
rials analyzed using the same techniques.
1.2 This guide is intended to provide a general introduction
to the application of SEM/EDS analytical techniques for the
1.6 This guide can be used to assist a concrete petrographer
examination and analysis of concrete. It is meant to be useful
inperformingorinterpretingSEMandEDX(EDS)analysesin
toengineersandscientistswhowanttostudyconcreteandwho
a manner that maximizes the usefulness of these techniques in
are familiar with, but not expert in, the operation and applica-
conducting petrographic examinations of concrete and other
tion of SEM/EDS technology. The guide is not intended to
cementitious materials, such as mortar and stucco. For a more
provide explicit instructions concerning the operation of this
in-depth, comprehensive tutorial on scanning electron micros-
technology or interpretation of information obtained through
copyorthepetrographicexaminationofconcreteandconcrete-
SEM/EDS.
related materials, the reader is directed to the additional
1.3 It is critical that petrographer or operator or both be
publications referenced in the bibliography section of this
familiar with the SEM/EDX (EDS) equipment, specimen
guide.
preparation procedures, and the use of other appropriate
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
procedures for this purpose. This guide does not discuss data
asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
interpretation. Proper data interpretation is best done by
standard.
individuals knowledgeable about the significance and limita-
tions of SEM/EDX (EDS) and the materials being evaluated.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of electron
1.4 The SEM provides images that can range in scale from
microscopes, X-ray spectrometers, chemicals, and equipment
alowmagnification(forexample,15×)toahighmagnification
used to prepare samples for electron microscopy. It is the
(for example, 50 000× or greater) of concrete specimens such
as fragments, polished surfaces, or powders.These images can responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
provide information indicating compositional or topographical
variations in the observed specimen. The EDX (EDS) system mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
1 dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and
Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.65 on
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Petrography.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Current ed
...
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