Integration of SEM and acoustic emission methods in non-destructive evaluation of fiber–cement boards exposed to high temperatures

Abstract The article presents the results of a study on the non-destructive evaluation of fiber–cement boards exposed to high temperatures, conducted using integrated methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and acoustic emission (AE). Fiber–cement, widely used as facade cladding in construction, undergoes significant microstructural and mechanical changes when exposed to high temperatures, particularly in the degradation of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This study showed that the AE method allows for the early detection of damage, such as microcracks and the separation of fibers from the cement matrix, before these changes become visible in SEM analysis. In turn, SEM provided detailed images of microstructural damage, including cracks and porosity. The results confirm the effectiveness of integrating SEM and AE methods, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the material’s technical condition after exposure to high temperatures.