Characterization of Microstructure and Fracture Properties of Cementitious Materials with Nano-/Micro-Scratch

Revealing the mechanical characteristics and microstructural features of cementitious composites across various scales holds significant significance in engineering domains. Scratch test involves the application of an indenter on the surface of a material at constant or varying vertical loads and measures the mechanical parameters (e.g., depth and load) during the scratching process. This technique has been applied for investigating the microstructure and properties of construction and building materials. This chapter focused on the applications of multi-scale scratch test on cementitious composites, including mechanical properties (scratch hardness, elastic recovery ratio, coefficient of friction, brittleness, and fracture properties) and microstructure characterization (morphology, phase identification, and interfacial properties). Details of the scratch test in nano-/micro-scale were also summarized, including the indenter type, specimen preparation, and scratch process. The findings could contribute to a deeper comprehension of multi-scale structures and mechanical characteristics of cementitious materials, paving the way for more efficient design and optimization of construction materials.