Influences of textile characteristics on the tensile properties of warp knitted cement based composites

This study explored the influences, of different textile characteristics of warp knitted fabrics made from multifilament yarns, on the tensile properties of textile reinforced cement elements and on the bonding quality between the fabrics and the cement matrix. Several parameters such as loop size, bundle size (number of filaments), and fiber type (high density polyethylene, polypropylene, AR-glass and aramid) were examined. In addition, the influence of a hybrid fabric made from polypropylene and aramid was examined and compared to single fabrics made of aramid and polypropylene separately. All the composite elements were produced by the pultrusion technique. It was found that fabric made of combination of a small bundle diameter and a large loop size exhibited the greatest efficiency factor and developed the best bond strengths with the cement matrix, based on improved cement penetrability between the filaments of the bundle. The hybrid composite system showed better mechanical properties and a higher efficiency factor compared to the non-hybrid systems. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.