Title:
Development and Characterization of Hybrid Polyethylene Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites
Author(s):
Parviz Soroushian, Atef Tlili, Abdoulrahman, and Ataullah Khan
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
90
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
182-190
Keywords:
cement compound composition; fiber reinforced concretes; tests; flexural strength; impact strength; manufacturing; mix proportioning; plastics, polymers and resins; synthetic fibers; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/4017
Date:
3/1/1993
Abstract:
The research reported herein is concerned with optimizing the combined use of two different fiber types in cementitious matrixes. The two fiber types were a high-modulus polyethylene fiber and a fibrillated polyethylene pulp. Through a factorial experimental design, the effects of different volume fractions of the two fibers, and their interaction, on the impact resistance, flexural strength and toughness, compressive strength, bulk specific gravity, volume of permeable pores, and water absorption capacity of cementitious materials manufactured with a high-performance mixer were investigated. In the case of impact resistance, it was observed that the positive effect of each fiber was pronounced in the presence of the other fiber type. For flexural strength and toughness, the combined use of polyethylene fiber and pulp produced desirable results, as long as the amounts incorporated were below certain limits. The negative effects of fibers on compressive strength were less pronounced when the two fiber types were used in combination. The interactions between polyethylene fiber and pulp in deciding the specific gravity, volume of permeable pores, and water absorption capacity of cementitious materials were either negligible or only moderately significant.