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Nano-scratch as a new tool for assessing the nano-tribological behavior of cement composite

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Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary exploration on tribological properties of cement composite material at micro- and nano-scales by means of the nano-scratch technique, which is a new instrument overcoming the limitations of both the classical stylus scratch test and the atomic force microscope. Measurements were conducted on two very different types of material: cement clinker paste and polymer-based cement clinker. Mechanical parameters related to the nano-tribological performance, i.e. penetration depth, coefficient of friction, and elastic deformation ratio, were obtained from the scratching processes. By statistical deconvolution analysis, microstructure constituents with a large discrepancy in elastic modulus and hardness values can be captured as single peaks, but not for the mixture of C–S–H and Ca(OH)2 phases. A reverse tendency was observed between penetration depth and coefficient of friction of both the substrate and hard particle phase embedded in. An H/E ratio dependent elasto–plastic behavior was identified, with the elastic deformation to be dominant in high H/E ratio phases. The results confirm this new technique as a promising method for quantitative characterization of elasticity, hardness and mar resistance of heterogonous phases in cement composite.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support for this study from the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (No. 2009CB623105) and the Program for Young Excellent Talents in Tongji University.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201804, China

    Jing Xu & Wu Yao

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  1. Jing Xu
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  2. Wu Yao
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Correspondence to Jing Xu.

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Xu, J., Yao, W. Nano-scratch as a new tool for assessing the nano-tribological behavior of cement composite. Mater Struct 44, 1703–1711 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-011-9728-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-011-9728-7

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