The secrets hidden deep in our walls (Daniel Alonso Domínguez). Materials for the Future

The Secrets Hidden Deep In Our Walls By using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), "the secrets hidden deep in our walls" can be revealed; thus, a material as seemingly simple as cement paste has a very complex microstructure with different phases that play a decisive role in the mechanical and durable properties (resistance to compression and bending) of the material. A proper knowledge of the microstructure of this material allows us to tune and to improve its properties. The image shows the inside of a pore of a cement paste specimen with addition of nanosilica. In it, three different phases can be observed: portlandite (CH), ettringite (AFt) and hydrated calcium silicates with globular form (C-S-H).