1. Cement-based composites containing functionalized carbon fibers
- Author
-
Luca Lavagna, Simone Musso, Giuseppe Andrea Ferro, and Matteo Pavese
- Subjects
Cement ,Toughness ,Cement-base composite ,Materials science ,Carbon fibers ,Carbon fiber oxidation ,Mechanical and electrical properties ,0211 other engineering and technologies ,02 engineering and technology ,Building and Construction ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Dispersant ,Taguchi methods ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Compressive strength ,Flexural strength ,chemistry ,021105 building & construction ,Surface modification ,General Materials Science ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology ,Piranha solution - Abstract
Carbon fibers can be used to improve both mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of cement, allowing the preparation of a strengthened and toughened cement that can be used for self-monitoring applications. To guarantee both a good dispersion in water and a strong interaction with cement, surface functionalization of carbon fiber surface by reaction with acid was preferred to the use of a dispersing agent. The best oxidation conditions were chosen by using a Taguchi approach, and the samples contained the treated fibers were subjected to both mechanical and electrical tests, to determine flexural strength, toughness, compressive strength and electrical conductivity. It was shown that a not-too-strong oxidation by piranha solution was very effective to obtain well-dispersed fibers and a cement-composite with improved mechanical properties (in particular toughness) and electrical conductivity.
- Published
- 2018