Materials Characterization
Solid materials
(in the form of powder, granules or solid)
Initial material characterization:
Initial characterization, especially of waste or an industrial by-product is essential to correctly assess its valorisation potential and to apply suitable processing. To do this, CTP can offer:
- Elementary studies through physico-chemical techniques best suited to the material under assessment (ICP-OES, WD-XRF, FT-IR, C-S, etc.);
- A combination of mineralogical analyses (XRD, SEM-EDX, Petrographic microscopy);
- Thermogravimetric analyses (DSC, TGA, TGA/FT-IR);
- Density measurements (bulk or absolute, through liquid and/or gas [He]);
- Permeability/flow (oedometer);
- Various particle size analysis methods (standard sieves, dry, wet, laser and morphology [CCD]);
- Reactivity tests for certain industrial raw materials (lime, fly ash);
- The development of custom tests and tests on demand.
Characterization of fresh mixtures/composition
(non indurated)
- Setting time (Vicat needle);
- Consistency (Vicat probe);
- Rheology (Fann viscometer);
- Subsidence test (Abrams cone);
- Hydration heat (Langavant calorimeter).
Specimen cure
(mixtures implemented)
Cure in a climatic room under controlled conditions (relative humidity of 0 % to 95 % and temperature of -50°C to 100°C). CTP can provide the development of specific tests to accelerate the cure compared to standard conditions, along with reference materials.
Specimen characterization
(indurated materials)
- Mechanical properties (compression and flexion resistance at n days);
- Determination of the activity factor through mechanical tests.
Loaded liquids/fluids
Characterization:
- Density;
- Rheology (Fann viscometer);
- Physico-chemical analyses (ICP-OES, WD-XRF, FT-IR, etc.).
