Ceramics-Silikáty 57 (2) 103-107 (2013)

DIFFERENTIAL ANALYSIS OF VOLUMETRIC STRAINS IN POROUS MATERIALS IN TERMS OF WATER FREEZING

Rusin Z., Stelmaszczyk G., Swiercz P.

The paper presents the differential analysis of volumetric strain (DAVS). The method allows measurements of volumetric deformations of capillary-porous materials caused by water-ice phase change. The VSE indicator (volumetric strain effect), which under certain conditions can be interpreted as the minimum degree of phase change of water contained in the material pores, is proposed. The test results (DAVS) for three materials with diversified microstructure: clinker brick, calcium-silicate brick and Portland cement mortar were compared with the test results for pore characteristics obtained with the mercury intrusion porosimetry.

Keywords: Water freezing, Volumetric strains, Pore characteristics