Cementitious composites reinforced with polypropylene, nylon and polyacrylonitile fibres

Abstract

This paper compares the adhesion strength between three polymeric fibres (polypropylene (PP), nylon66 (N66) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN)) embedded in a cement paste. The specimens were prepared at a water to cement ratio (w/c) of 0.5 and tested after 7, 14 and 28 curing days. It was found that although the adhesion between the polymeric fibres to the cement matrix is an important factor, the energy absorption capacity or energy dissipation ability of the fibres, plays a more important role in the improvement of the cementitious composites fracture toughness. Scanning electron micrographs were used to characterize the fibres surface before and after the Pull-out tests.