Magnetic resonance analysis of cement materials delivers hard evidence for industry

Forensic analysis of cement materials using state-of-the-art magnetic resonance technology at The University of Western Australia is set to deliver new insights for the State’s mining industry.

"This research demonstrates for the first time how to interpret magnetic resonance data acquired from fly ash cement."

Dr Neil Robinson

In the study, published in Physics Review Letters, researchers from UWA’s School of Engineering and the Fluid Science and Resources Research Group used magnetic resonance technology – similar to medical MRI – to interrogate the mechanical strength and setting rates of cements containing fly ash, a waste product produced from the burning of coal that may be used as a binder material in cement.

Lead researcher Dr Neil Robinson said the study was part of a larger project, ongoing since 2019, that aimed to demonstrate the value of using magnetic resonance analysis to better understand the properties of engineering cements.

“Cements are complex porous materials and contain a rich variety of different pore structures that are saturated with water,” Dr Robinson said.

“Using magnetic resonance, we can measure the dynamics of this water, which tells us about pore size. Monitoring how these pore sizes change over time tells us about the setting behaviour of the cement.

“This information provides industry with a better understanding of comparative setting rates in these materials and therefore how to optimise production – this depth of analysis hasn’t been available before.”

Dr Robinson said the research was of particular significance for mining companies that needed to understand how water from different sources would affect the properties of cement.

“The water available near mine sites is usually not very pure, and contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals,” he said.

“We have shown how magnetic resonance analysis can be used to compare different cement formulations and show how, for example, different concentrations of these dissolved minerals influence cement setting rates.”

Analysing fly ash was challenging due to its high concentration of iron, which can affect the results of magnetic resonance experiments.

“This research demonstrates for the first time how to interpret magnetic resonance data acquired from fly ash cement,” Dr Robinson said.

“The world-leading magnetic resonance research facilities available in the UWA Fluid Science and Resources Research Group were critical to the success of this project.”