Title:
3-D-Printed Polymer Concrete Using Carbon Nanofibers
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Publication:
Web Session
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Date:
10/25/2020
Abstract:
Concrete mixes used for producing 3D-printed concrete typically have high cement content, relatively low water to cement ratio, and a maximum particle size below 5 mm. Cementitious mixtures have inherent limitations due to the difficulty of controlling their time-dependent rheological properties. Polymer concrete has been widely used in the concrete industry since the 1970s, offering numerous advantages such as manufacturing simplicity, remarkable mechanical properties in both compression and tension, low permeability, and superior bond. Moreover, polymer concrete provides alternative methods to control its rheological properties and time to cure and harden. This research describes the use of carbon nanofibers to control the rheological and mechanical properties of 3D-printed polymer concrete. We report on improving the interlayer bond strength of 3D-printed polymer concrete using carbon nanofibers. Green and hardened bond strengths of 3D-printed polymer concrete show the significant benefit of incorporating carbon nanofibers in the 3D-printing polymer concrete mixes. Microstructural investigations show the ability of carbon nanofibers to penetrate the 3D-printing interfaces and thus improve shear friction and bond of 3D-printed concrete in a fashion not attainable using conventional 3D printing.