Interplay Between FIB Processing, Microstructure, and Micromechanics in Cement Pastes Článek v časopise Case Studies in Construction Materials 2214-5095

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F26722445%3A_____%2F26%3AN0000001" target="_blank" >RIV/26722445:_____/26:N0000001 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525015323" target="_blank" >https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525015323</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05734" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05734</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Interplay Between FIB Processing, Microstructure, and Micromechanics in Cement Pastes Článek v časopise Case Studies in Construction Materials 2214-5095

Original language description

This article investigates the interplay between microstructure, focused ion beam (FIB) micro-beam preparation, and micromechanical properties of cement pastes derived from Portland cement CEM I-42.5R. It identifies and quantifies the effects of red{gallium} FIB processing on individual cement phases, including inner and outer hydration products, Portlandite, and residual clinker. A detailed methodology is presented for preparing cantilever micro-beams, emphasizing critical steps such as phase selection, imaging, ion milling, transport, and mechanical testing. Several adverse factors are identified: continuous electron beam imaging increases surface roughness and reduces tensile strength; high ion beam currents (>1 nA) for the given experiment configuration and FIBU settings cause local heating, leading to water evaporation, densification, and phase transformations in C–S–H gels and Portlandite. Additional challenges include ion beam drift, which distorts beam geometry, and vacuum-induced moisture cycling, which promotes micro-cracking. Best practices are proposed to mitigate these issues, including the use of low ion beam currents (0.2–1 nA), minimized electron beam exposure, stable environmental control to prevent moisture cycling, and careful phase selection. The article provides examples of both good and incorrect practices, offering practical guidelines for reliable FIB-based micromechanical testing of cement pastes.

Czech name

—

Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

20501 - Materials engineering

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA23-05435S" target="_blank" >GA23-05435S: Nanomechanical performance of cementitious composites under radiation impact and variable environmental actions</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2026

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Case Studies in Construction Materials

ISSN

2214-5095

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

24

Issue of the periodical within the volume

July

Country of publishing house

NL - THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Number of pages

24

Pages from-to

1-24

UT code for WoS article

001664498400001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105029586412