Influence of shield gases on the surface condition of laser treated concrete

J. Lawrence, L. Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This work aims to elucidate the effects of using O2, Ar and He shield gasses during the treatment of the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) surface of concrete with a high power diode laser (HPDL). The findings showed a marked difference existed in the surface condition of the concrete after HPDL treatment depending on the shield gas used. The use of O2 as the shield gas was seen to result in glazes with far fewer microcracks and porosities than those generated with either Ar or He shield gases. Such differences were found to be due to the smaller O2 gas molecules dissolving molecularly into the open structure of the HPDL generated glaze on the OPC surface of concrete and react with the glass network to increase the fluidity of the melt. This in turn was also seen to affect the cooling rate and therefore the tendency to generate microcracks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-28
Number of pages4
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume168
Issue number1-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

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