Nanoscale experimental investigation of particle interactions at the origin of the cohesion of cement

Atomic force microscopy has been used to investigate the force at the origin of the cohesion of cement. The cohesion of cement grains is caused by surface forces acting between calcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles in interstitial electrolytic solution. Direct measurement of the interaction between two calcium silicate hydrate surfaces is performed in air and different aqueous solutions. In dry air, starting with the van der Waals forces, the interaction area between calcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles can be estimated. In electrolytic solution, the evolution of these forces is extensively dependent on both surface and solution chemistry. The roles of the calcium hydroxide concentration, pH, and ionic strength are investigated. The force measurements allow us to confirm the pre-eminence of ionic correlation forces in the cohesion of cement.