X 射线谱仪

SEM helps scientists and technologists study different kinds of morphological changes in materials during their compaction such as ettringite formation. Practical information on the chemical composition of concrete as well as phases created during dehydration processes can be investigated with a SEM system equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The available low vacuum mode allows the study of sample of concrete in their natural state without the need of coating the sample, thus eliminating possible sources of interference in analysis.

A scanning electron microscope (SEM), equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) detector, is an effective instrument for in-depth analysis of various materials. The combination of SEM with EDS microanalysis is particularly used in the construction industry for quality control and verification of material composition. Samples of cement and cement additives (powdered gypsum and fly ash), from Israel’s sole cement producer, were examined by using the powerful VEGA3 SEM with a lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) electron source. Compared to a heated tungsten (W) filament, LaB₆ provides higher resolution and brightness and longer lifetime. The chemical composition of a fly ash particle and the element distribution over the sample surface was determined by EDS.