In-situ X-ray tomographic monitoring of gypsum plaster setting

The first in-situ monitoring of plaster hydration using X-ray tomography is reported in this paper. Dissolution of hemihydrate particles and formation of a network of gypsum needles can be observed in 3D. A 3D quantitative analysis based on the microstructure evolution allows the determination of the degree of reaction. In particular, the size of hemihydrate particles is shown to have an influence both on the hydration kinetics and on the final microstructure of the set plaster. This work paves the way to the understanding of the relationship between microstructure evolution, chemical degree of reaction and mechanical strength development for material processed through a setting reaction.