Building Materials : Microscopic Images

Online educational resource on achieving indoor environmental quality with radiant based HVAC systems

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Scanned Electron Microscope (SEM) Images of Building Materials

With the help of our donors and contributors including Science Photo Library, we are making available for viewing, a number of scanned electron micrograph images for the purposes of discussing the flow of energy and mass through various building materials. Notice that materials we typically perceive to be smooth solid surfaces, under the microscope are actually textured and porous or semi porous. The porosity, density, specific heat and optical characteristics of a material or assemblies of materials will determine the flow of energy in the form of heat, sound and vibrations; and the flow of mass in the form of particulate, gases and liquids. As we say, when it comes to construction, "what is on the outside wants in, and what is on the inside wants out". The enclosure is the gauntlet controlling the flow.

Also note that many materials and systems used in construction are analogous to human anatomy and systems. For example in materials of construction there are analogies when looking at the skin and vapour barriers, wood and bone and insulation and hair. Likewise with systems we can find analogies with ventilation and respiration, the endocrine, nervous and circulatory system with radiant based heating/cooling systems. Be sure to view our Building Enclosures: A Filter, Sponge and Capacitor which explores this concept in greater detail. The slides also contain higher resolution version of these images.

Note to viewers: These images and descriptions are obtained from third parties. We are showing the basic descriptions only. Greater details are discussed in the courses. Also we have included below some SEM images from other aspects of our educational programs to bring awareness to the similarities between the parts of the human body and materials humans use to stay warm and dry.

Grains of Sand

Closed Cell Polystyrene Foam

Nylon Geotextile Fabric

©Susumu Nishinaga/Science Photo Library

©Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library

©Science Photo Library

Coloured scanning electron micrograph of grains of sand. Sand is composed largely of quartz, and is produced by the weathering of quartz-containing rocks. Sand is
defined as rock particles 0.05-2 millimeters in diameter.
Magnification: x25 at 6x7cm size.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph of extruded closed cell polystyrene foam, whose cells (spaces seen here) are filled with air. As well and being an excellent thermal insulator also acts as a moisture barrier. Magnification: x150 when printed at 10 centimeters wide.

Scanning electron micrograph of fibers of nylon geotextile. This material consists of non-woven fibers which are thermally bonded. Areas of thermal bonding can be seen here where the filaments appear to be melted and fused together. Magnification: x66 at 10x8 inch size.

Mineral wool

Open Cell Polyurethane Foam

Expanded Polystyrene

©Science Photo Library

©Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library

Mineral wool under microscope. Magnification: unknown

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of open-cell polyurethane foam Magnification: X 9 at 35mm size, X 66 at 8x10-inch size.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of expanded polystyrene particles and integrated infrared absorbers and reflectors. Magnification: x2400 when printed at 10 centimeters wide.

Concrete

Mortar

Gypsum

©Pascal Goetgheluck/Science Photo Library

©Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library

©Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library

Coloured environmental scanning electron micrograph (ESEM) of gypsum crystals (brown) that formed in setting concrete (blue). Magnification unknown.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of adhesive mortar. Magnification: x400 when printed 10 centimeters wide.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of crystals of calcium sulphate dihydrate (gypsum)

Mould (mold) on Wall Paper

Clay-based paint

Paper

©Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library

©Susumu Nishinaga/Science Photo Library

Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph of mould (orange/brown) growing on wallpaper. Fungus like this can turn wallpaper brown or black in cool, damp conditions. Magnification: x330 at 6x6cm size.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing flat crystals of clay in a sample of paint. Clays are used as pigments in many water-based paints to produce various different colours. Magnification: x10800 when printed 10 centimeters wide.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of paper. Paper mostly consists of a mesh of softened and pulped wood fibers. Magnification unknown.

Polymer Films

Cotton Fabric

Fly Ash

©Digital Inst./Veeco/Science Photo Library

©Science Photo Library

USDT - Federal Highway Administration

Coloured atomic force micrograph (AFM) of a multi-layer thin polymer film. The outer layers (granulated) are polyethylene, the layers within these are nylon and the inner layer is of unknown composition. Magnification: x2200 at 6x6cm size

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a piece of curtain material made with cotton fabric, showing details of its weave. Magnification: X 40 at 35mm size

SEM image of fly ash which is used in portland cement concrete (PCC), soil and road base stabilization, flowable fills, grouts, structural fill and asphalt filler.
Magnification: x 2,000

Elm Wood

Soda Glass

Aluminum Foil

©Power and Syred/Science Photo Library

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a block of wood from an elm tree Magnification: x145 when printed at 10 centimeters tall

Scanning electron micrograph of the corner of a broken lump
of soda glass. Magnification: x450 at
8x10 inch size.

Scanning electron micrograph of aluminum foil. Magnification: x10000

Asbestos

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose Insulation w/ PCM

©Carleton College/USGS

SEM image, Winchite-richterite asbestos, Libby, Montana

Scanning Electron Microscope Images of cellulose insulation
Magnification: x400

Scanning Electron Microscope Images of cellulose insulation with phase change materials.
Magnification: x550

Fiberglass Insulation

Roofing Material

©NRC-IRC (G.Chan, Operator)

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of fiberglass insulation.
Magnification: 8.9mm x30

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of fiberglass insulation.
Magnification: 8.9MM x1000

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of roofing materials
Magnification: 7.9MM x1000

Roofing Material

If you have SEM images of building materials that you wish to share please let us know.

©NRC-IRC (G.Chan, Operator)

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of roofing materials
Magnification: 3.6MM x1000

Embedded PEX pipe

©Uponor

Light microscopy image of embedded PE-Xa pipe in concrete
Magnification:

Light microscopy image of embedded PE-Xa pipe in concrete
Magnification: x10

Light microscopy image of embedded PE-Xa pipe in concrete
Magnification: x100

Be sure to check out our upcoming Continuing Education programs on these materials and other topics treated to the building and health sciences including our new three advanced study program.

Can you see the similarities between materials used for outdoor clothing and materials of construction?

Gore-Tex

Goose Feather

Raincoat Fabric

False-colour scanning electron micrograph of Gore- Tex, a fabric used to make waterproof clothing. The pores in the web are less than a micrometer in diameter, 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water but 700 times larger than a water molecule. Consequently garments made from Gore-Tex are waterproof while allowing perspiration from the body to pass through. Magnification: x100 at 6x4.5cm size.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a goose feather. The central shaft, or rachis runs from upper right to lower left. Rows of filaments, known as barbs, project from either side of the rachis. Along the length of each barb are smaller filaments, known as barbules. The closely packed
barbules insulate the bird. Magnification: x17 when printed
at 10 centimeters tall.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a raincoat. The fabric is covered with a water-repellant coating which holds raindrops outside the jacket. It also contains pores (dark grey holes) which allow condensation formed by the body's own heat to escape from the garment. Magnification: x260 at 6x6cm size.

Can you see the similarities between human physiology and materials of construction?

Bone Tissue

Human Hair

Human Skin

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of cancellous (spongy) bone. Bone tissue can be either cortical (compact) or cancellous. Cortical bone usually makes up the exterior of the bone, while cancellous bone is found in the interior. Cancellous bone is characterised by a honeycomb arrangement, comprising a network of trabeculae (rod-shaped tissue). These structures provide support and strength to the bone. The spaces within this tissue contain bone marrow (not seen), a blood forming substance.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of human hair. The shafts of hair (yellow) are anchored in their individual hair follicles (not seen) below the surface of the skin. The outside of the hair, the cuticle, is covered in overlapping scales of dead cells containing the protein keratin. Magnification: x264 when printed 10 centimeters wide.

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of sweat (light blue) produced by sweat pores on skin from a human hand. Sweat is released onto the surface of the skin from glands below the surface. The sweat evaporates, and this cools the body by carrying away heat. The surrounding areas shows the dead cells making up the surface layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. Magnification: x30 when printed 10cm wide.

We are currently looking for coloured SEM images of caulking and sealant compounds, roofing and siding materials and floor finishes. If you have such images and wish to donate them or make them available for educational purposes please let us know.

Three of our favourite things - can you tell which we've had the longest?
(images below are linked to their respective book stores)

Plus the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook Chapters 24,25,26 and 27 (http://www.ashrae.org)

Building Materials Data Base

more to come

NRC-IRC with ASHRAE

A Thermal and Moisture Transport Property Database for Common Building and Insulating Materials, Final Report from ASHRAE Research Project 1018-RP, 2002

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