Small-angle neutron scattering investigation of the effect of a heat-treatment on the microstructure of porous basalt rocks

摘要

Small-angle neutron scattering has been used to study the microstructure of natural porous basalt rocks. The effect of temperature on the rock microstructure has been investigated on 'as received' and heat-treated basalts. The magnitudes of alpha, the power-law scattering exponent were between 3 and 4 for the majority of the rocks, indicating a surface fractal structure between the basalt matrix and the pore space. Heat-treated basalts show higher alpha values, and therefore a smoother pore surface. Internal surface areas were determined for all basalts depending on the thermal history.