Journal
CEMENT & CONCRETE COMPOSITES
Volume 119, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104019
Keywords
Interfacial transition zone; Fiber reinforcement; CNF; CNT; Bond enhancement; Nanoindentation; Microstructure
Funding
- Singapore Economic Development Board Industrial Postgraduate Programme (EDB IPP-JACOB LIM)
- ceEntek Pte Ltd [RCA-11/164]
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The study focused on strategically strengthening the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in fiber-reinforced cement-based composites by coating carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on microfibers. The CNF-reinforced ITZ showed densification, reduced voids and defects, enhanced hardness and modulus, and improved mechanical properties against deformation and cracking. The resulting CNF-ITZ exhibited a hairy microstructure similar to the setae on the toes of geckos, with less portlandite present.
The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) governs the mechanical properties and durability of fiber-reinforced cementbased composites. It has been reported that strategic strengthening of the ITZ by simple coating of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on microfibers resulted in a 22% enhancement of the fiber/matrix bond. In the current study, ingenious methods were used to characterize such CNF-reinforced ITZ (CNF-ITZ). Results show that strategic application of CNFs greatly densified the ITZ with much reduced voids and defects. A distinctive hairy microstructure, resembling the setae on the toes of geckos, and less portlandite were found in the CNF-ITZ. The indentation hardness and indentation modulus were enhanced in both the radial and the tangential directions. The resulting CNF-reinforced ITZ is tougher and stronger with improved mechanical properties against deformation and cracking, which leads to enhanced fiber/matrix bond and elevated load transfer efficiency between fiber and matrix.
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