Title: Durability of Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Author(s): S. Rols, J. Ambroise, and J. Pera

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 192

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 843-858

Keywords: age; composite materials; durability; fibers; polymers; toughness

DOI: 10.14359/5788

Date: 4/1/2000

Abstract:
When subjected to wetting-drying cycles, glass fibre-reinforced composites become brittle. This is mainly due to the precipitation of calcium hydroxide crystals at the surface of the fibre, which block the fibres and reduce their deformation. The addition of a polymer to the cementitious matrix will not prevent such phenomenon. Durable composites have been developed using polypropylene fibres and modifying the cementitious matrix by a polymeric addition. The volumic fraction of fibres was 1.6% and the matrix contained either an acrylic polymer or a vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (2.5% by mass of the mortar). Ductile composites were obtained for conditions of storage that included: 20 degrees C in sealed plastic bags, immersion in water at 60 degrees C. and wetting-drying cycles.