Department of Building Materials

Microscopy laboratory

Klokner Institute

Czech Technical University in Prague

Šolínova 7

166 08 Praha 6

Equipment

LEXT OLS3000

The Olympus LEXT OSLS3000 microscope is one of the new generation of optical systems with high 3D accuracy of imaging and measuring. It offers new possibilities for developing and checking various materials and parts. It is especially suitable for newly-emerging applications in microtechnology and nanotechnology that require non-standard contactless measuring methods,methods for checking materials, miniature parts, very delicate joints, and also for measuring surface roughness with submicron accuracy.

It can be used for 3D observations for high-precision 3D measurements in real time. With its excellent 0,12 ?m definition and its 120x ? 14400x range of enlargement, Lext is suitable for researchers working at the limits of current optical microscopes and electron microscopes (SEM).

Optical microscope

Simple observations and measurements can be made with the Olympus optical stereo microscope. The main element is the stereoscopic microscope with ESD support, with range of enlargement 0.67x ? 4.5x, zoom ratio 6.7:1, FN 22, inbuilt binocular tube with 60° inclination, working distance 110 mm, with adjustable upper and lower limit of the zoom stop, adjustment of eye pitch 52-76 mm.

Grinding and polishing device

KOMPAKT 1031 is robust device for metallographic grinding. It can be used for underwater grinding and also for polishing with suspensions or with diamond paste for all metallic and non-metallic materials.

CitoVac

This device is used for for watering and vacuum impregnation of porous samples.

Activities

• Grinding, polishing and watering samples
• Measurements of real distances, volumes, areas and projections
• Surface roughness measurements
• Profile measurements
• Analyses of parts
• Checks on materials and coatings
• Porosity measurements
• Spacing factor
• Analyses of defects, failures and cracks
• Many other 3D imaging measurements

Responsible person

Ing. Michaela Kostelecká

phone: +420 224 353 522

e-mail: michaela.kostelecka@cvut.cz

Chemistry laboratory

Klokner Institute
Czech Technical University in Prague
Šolínova 7
166 08 Praha 6 

Equipment

Spectroscan MAKC GVII X-ray fluorescent spectrometer

The Spectroscan MAKC GVII sequential wave dispersal X-rayfluorescent spectrometer is used for analysing solid substances, liquids, powders and other forms in the concentration range from ppm to 100%. This device makes qualitative and quantitative analyses of various types of materials in the range from Na to U, but its main use is for determining a wide spectrum of components, for example in the field of silicates (mortars, concretes, ceramics), rocks, metals, alloys, plastics, etc. The Spectroscan MAKC-GVII spectrometer consists of the following parts:

1. Spectrometer’s own vacuum unit with a samples feeder, including a vacuum goniometer, a high-voltage supply for X-ray spectrometry, the controlling electronics and a precise sample feeder that rotates the sample, for analysing non-homogenous samples
2. Computer-controlled closed recirculating cooling unit for cooling the X-ray equipment
3. Vacuum pump
4. Controlling and evaluating computer (PC), with a printer
5. Stabilizing and backup source with double conversion

Ahura First Defender mobile Raman spectrometer

The Ahura First Defender Mobile Raman spectrometer is used for identifying organic and inorganic substances. The spectrometer makes analyses of samples (liquids, powders, solid samples) in phials (there is a place for inserting phials) or in direct contactless analyses of free spilt and poured samples,and analyses through certain types of coatings (glass, transparent plastics for irradiation, etc.). The spectrometer measures emission dispersion spectra in the near infrared region and in part of the visible area of the Raman dispersion spectrum. These dispersion spectra have a rich structure that corresponds with the characteristic vibration of molecules and bonds of molecules. The spectrometer automatically compares the acquired emission spectrum with spectra saved in the database of the device, and automatically identifies the substance. Unlike algorithms widely used in spectrometry, this system can also detect compounds of substances with up to 5 components. The spectrometer is constructed as a maintenance-free device with very simple servicing and great robustness. It is primarily constructed for use in the field, but can also be used as a standard laboratory device. Analyses take from from 1 minute (when measuring substances with sufficient emission after sampling, and analyses of individual substances) to several minutes (for analyses of mixtures of substances. When there are 7800 substances in the database, the composition of the mixed spectrum of a mixture of 5 items involves several trillions of combinations, analyses through coatings, etc.)

CAPEL 105M capillary electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a modern instrumental analytic method, based on the different speed of migration of ionized substances in a direct current electric field. The principle is two-way separation of the substances present in a sample into electrophoresis zones that migrate by a capillary column andare detected and evaluated. Advantages of capillary electrophoresis are the speed of the analysis, low consumption of agents, and, above all, low operating costs. The device is used in particular for identifying inorganic substances, and also some organic ions in a liquid environment. An example of an application is for anionic analyses of aqueous infusions from building materials for determining in-salting of masonry (i.e. determining chlorides, nitrates and sulfates in masonry).

Range of activities

• Preparation of samples – grinding to analytical fineness, compressing into tablets
• Qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis of various types of materials (silicates, metals, plastics, etc.)
• Silicate analysis (mortars, concretes, building materials)

– determining the mixing ratio
– determining the type of binder
– investigations of causes of failures (efflorescence, corrosion, etc.)

• Identifying organic and inorganic substances in building materials
• Determining chlorides in building materials (reinforcement corrosion)
• Determining dampness of masonry
• Determining in-salting of masonry (chlorides, sulfates, nitrates)

Responsible person

Ing. Daniel Dobiáš, Ph.D.

phone: + 420 224 353 515 (13,16)

e-mail: daniel.dobias@cvut.cz

KPK400 U experimental climatic chamber

The climatic chamber is used for research and development, and also in industry for quality control, climate technology tests, creating a standard testing climate according to international testing standards, research on the impact of temperature and moisture on building materials and industrial products, and impacts on biological processes under stressing temperature conditions, etc.

Main changeable parameters of the chamber environment:

1. Adjustable temperature in the range from -40°C to +100°C in an ambient temperature of 23°C.
2. Adjustable relative humidity of the environment in the range from 10% to 85% in a temperature range between +20°C and +80°C.
3. Simulation of solar radiation – Osram radiator 1200W/GS HMI.
4. Simulation of UV radiation ? built-in Osram/Radium radiator controlled by the programmed function of the thermal regulator. The radon intensity is 1000 W/m2, controlled by the programmed function of the thermal regulator.
5. Simulation of rain (watering) by a jet, with a controlled amount of water entering the jet by a programmed regulator through the programmed function of the moisture regulator.

The volume of the interior space of the testing chamber is approximately 390 liters (700 mm x 1500 mm x 370 mm). The climatic-technological chamber is regulated by the Eurotherm 2408 program regulator, with 4 programs and 16 segments, with the possibility of 999 repetitions in the temperature and moisture loop. This provides high accuracy of the parameters in the testing space, simple servicing and a long lifetime. The device can also be operated using the /NET / RJ 85 Ethernet converter for network communication. The required parameters of the environment and the combination cycles are programmed by the Eurotherm i-tools program, with a function documenting temperature and moisture, controlled radiation and watering.