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Title: Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Carbon Nanotubes-Nanofibers Composites

Author(s): Joshua Hoheneder, Ismael Flores-Vivian and Konstantin Sobolev

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 335

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 27-36

Keywords: Composites, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, electrical conductivity, flexural strength, polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

DOI: 10.14359/51720213

Date: 9/20/2019

Abstract:
Fiber additions in portland cement composites is a regular practice for crack prevention and for increasing the flexural strength. In this research, fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers and carbon nanofibers (CNF) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) were investigated. Specimens were tested to measure their flexural strength, water absorption and electrical conductivity in water or sodium chloride solution. It was found that the developed composites, depending on applied stress and exposure to chloride solutions, exhibit some electrical conductivity. These dependencies can be characterized by piezoresistive and chemo-resistive coefficients demonstrating that the material possesses self-sensing capabilities. The sensitivity to strain,  crack formation, and chloride solutions can be enhanced by incorporating small amounts of CNF or CNT into a composite structure. Conducted research has demonstrated a strong dependency of electrical properties of the composite on crack formation in moist environments. The developed procedure is scalable for industrial application in concrete structures that require nondestructive stress monitoring, integrity under high service loads and stability in harsh environments.