Particle Size and Shape Analyser (PSSA)

The Particle Size and Shape Analyzer combines two Single Particle Sizing methodologies. A Dynamic Laser Technology and a Dynamic Video/Camera technology. It uses laser obscuration principle that can give advantage over other size and shape measurement techniques, where the principle is based on laser diffraction. It has the capability to detect particle size and shape from 0.2 µm to 3600 µm.

Freeze Dryer

Lyophilization, also called freeze drying, is by far the gentlest product drying method. It is based on the physical phenomenon of sublimation, which means a direct transition from the solid state to the vapour state without passing through the liquid state. The frozen products are dried under vacuum without thawing. This method offers a wide spectrum of potential applications:

• for preserving the characteristics of the original substances
• for preserving the original form
• for conditioning the material
• for the sample preparation for chemical or biochemical analysis

Simultaneous Thermal Analyser

Real-time measurement and analysis of sample weight change and heat flow. Simultaneous thermal analyser (STA) with proven thermos-gravimetric (TGA) capabilities can reach a maximum temperature range of 1400º C. Research applications especially for compositional analysis, decomposition temperatures of cement hydration products.

Rheometer

Determining fresh properties of cement paste, mortar and concrete plays a vital role in determining hardened properties of concrete. Earlier, fresh concrete of property especially workability is determined by slump test. Although, subsequent improvement in concrete technology brought about varied changes and need of revising the prediction methods. This lead to the development and representation of fresh concrete properties in fundamental terms through viscosity and yield stress. Rheometer is capable of measuring this fundamental terms by application of varied shear stress, shear rate, torque or angular velocity. Rheological measurements are performed in our laboratory by

• Anton par MCR 102 – Capable of measuring rheological parameters for all types of pastes
• eBT2 – capable for measuring rheological parameters for concrete

Rapid chloride migration test

Corrosion of infrastructure is a major problem. For instance, steel reinforcements embedded inside the concrete gets corroded due to chloride ingress. Consequently, examining resistance of concrete to chloride permeability is of utmost important. Raid chloride migration test, forces the migration of chloride ions inside the concrete by applied external electrical potential. Based on the precipitation of silver chloride by spraying silver nitrate on the split open concrete specimen depth of chloride penetration can be measured. Chloride migration coefficient can be arrived based on the depth of chloride penetrated.

Carbonation chamber

One more deleterious process that is responsible for the deterioration of infrastructure is carbonation. Carbonation reduces the alkalinity of the concrete resulting in deterioration of natural protection surrounding the reinforcement subsequently, leading to corrosion. In order for carbonation to occur, favourable environmental conditions such as relative humidity in the range of 50 to 70 percent and availability of atmospheric carbon-di-oxide is necessary. Simulation of similar testing in laboratory requires control supply of carbon-di-oxide and maintaining favourable relative humidity is of utmost important. Carbonation chamber available in our laboratory has the capability of performing in temperature range of 20º C to 60º C and in relative humidity of 40 to 95%.