Correlation between surface forces and surface reactivity in the setting of plaster by atomic force microscopy

Abstract The setting of mineral binders (cement, plaster, etc.) arises as a direct consequence of surface reactivity by a process of dissociation and rehydration. This transformation induces a complete change of surface forces, of which the nature remains still unknown. The general process of the setting has been studied by means of plaster (CaSO 4 ·0.5H 2 O) crystals, chosen for an experimental convenience. The surface alteration (growth, dissolution, atomic resolution) of the plaster crystal with respect to the introduction of the calcium sulfate solution has been followed by using atomic force microscopy (AFM. Alternatively, this apparatus has been adapted by gluing a plaster microcrysta…