Introduction

The chief problem in studying the chemical nature of AB cements is that many are essentially amorphous, so that the powerful tool of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis cannot be used. Some AB cements do exhibit a degree of crystallinity, but rarely in significant amounts; indeed, complete crystallinity is usually a sign that the reaction product is not cementitious. The literature contains numerous examples of workers being misled by the results of XRD analysis into neglecting the presence and significance of the amorphous phase.

A number of techniques have been employed that are capable of giving information about amorphous phases. These include infrared spectroscopy, especially the use of the attenuated total reflection (ATR) or Fourier transform (FT) techniques. They also include electron probe microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Nor are wet chemical methods to be neglected for they, too, form part of the armoury of methods that have been used to elucidate the chemistry and microstructure of these materials.

In addition to spectrosopic studies of the setting chemistry of AB cements, numerous mechanical tests have been used to measure properties of the set materials. This latter group has included determination of compressive and flexural strengths, translucency, electrical conductivity and permittivity. The present chapter describes each of these techniques in outline, and shows how they have been applied. Results obtained using these techniques are described in earlier chapters which deal more thoroughly with each individual type of AB cement.