Mineralogical and Microstructural Characterization of Materials Laboratory
The Laboratory for Mineralogical and Microstructural Characterization of Materials (U3M) is integrated in the Metallic Materials Unit of the Materials Department of LNEC.
Additional information can be found in this laboratory's flyer.
Activity areas
U3M develops activity related with the mineralogical and microstructural characterization of building materials, including:
- chemical, structural and mineralogical characterization of modern and historical building materials;
- assessment and prevention of building materials degradation and identification of alteration products.
Testing
U3M conducts chemical, mineralogical, and microscopic tests for observation and characterization of materials, as well as for identification and mitigation of degradation causes. These tests include:
- Mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffractometry (XRD)
- Chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF/EDS)
- Thermal analysis (TGA/DTA)
- Assessment of the reactivity to internal sulfates in concrete
- Assessment of the residual reactivity to alkalis in concrete
- Assessment of the residual reactivity to sulfates in concrete
- Characterization of old mortars
- Microstructural characterisation of metallic materials
- Classification of the severity of inclusions
- Diagnosis of expansive chemical reactions
- Evaluation of cement content in concrete and mortars
- Identification of the presence of asbestos
- Thickness measurement by optical microscopy
- Microhardness evaluation
- Graphite microstructure in cast iron
- Scanning electron microscopy observation with X-ray microanalysis
- Optical microscopy observation
- Macrographic observation
Other services
U3M supports studies requested by different public or private bodies, construction stakeholders, infrastructure owners and producers of construction products, in particular:
- development and qualification of new products;
- expertise on pathologies of materials;
- characterization of materials and products.