Characterization of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash by scanning electron microscopy and quantitative energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX)

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) is frequently used for morphological and qualitative chemical characterization of different materials. The applicability of this method for phase identification, is, however, often underestimated. The application of SEM/EDX for the characterization of different phases in fresh and altered municipal-waste incinerator bottom-ash samples with high lateral resolution is presented. Polished thin sections were prepared from the samples, but fresh fracture surfaces were also used. The EDX analyses were performed by using the correction procedures of a conventional standard-less ZAF correction, a peak-to-background ZAF correction, and a correction method for light-element analysis. Because of their highly reactive properties the bottom-ash SEM samples require a special method of preparation. The method facilitates nondestructive preparation of the sensitive bottom-ash alteration phases (e.g. cement phases, hydroxides, salts) and their microstructures.