Microhardness of the slurries and cement mortars

The internal structure of cement slurries and mortars constitutes the subject of numerous studies in material engineering. The physical and mechanical properties of this material on the macro level largely depend on its micro and nano levels. The internal system of clusters and nanoclusters, separated with scratches, cracks, capillaries, pores or intermediate phases on the aggregate-slurry interface, determines the character of damage of a given material subjected to loading. In order to predict the behavior of affected cement slurry/mortar, i.e. under static, dynamic or environmental load, it is important to investigate the internal structure and its characteristic properties. One of these properties involves microhardness, which directly corresponds to the mechanical properties, e.g. compression, flexural, and bending strength. The knowledge on the microhardness aids in determining the parameters connected with the cracking mechanics of this type of materials, including concrete.