Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-kwt9d Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-15T02:30:05.082Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Fibre-Cement Paste Transition Zone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Vahan Agopyan and
Holmer Savastano Junior
Vahan Agopyan
Affiliation:
Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Holmer Savastano Junior
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, University of São Paulo, 13630-000 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
Get access

Abstract

The characteristics of fibres and paste of ordinary Portland cement transition zone are analysed and correlated to the mechanical properties of the produced composites. The water-cement ratio of the matrix varies from 0.30 to 0.46 and the age of the specimens varies from 7 to 180 days. Composites of vegetable fibres (coir, sisal and malva) are compared with those of chrysotile asbestos and polypropylene fibres. The analysis is made by backscattered electron image (BSEI) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Mechanical tests evaluate the composite tensile strength and ductility.

Mainly for vegetable fibre composites the transition zone is porous, cracked and rich in calcium hydroxide macrocrystals. These results are directly associated with the fibre-matrix bonding and with the composite mechanical performance. Further studies considering the impact performance of the composites compare the porosity of the transition zone with the toughness of the composites.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1. Bentur, A., Diamond, S. and Mindess, S., Cem. Concr. Res. 15, 331 (1985).Google Scholar
2. Monteiro, P. M., PhD thesis, University of California, Berkeley, 1985.Google Scholar
3. Mindess, S., Odler, I., and Skalny, J., in Proc. 8th Int. Congr. on the Chemistry of Cement, (Abla, Rio de Janeiro, 1986) 1, pp.151–157.Google Scholar
4. Savastano, H. Jr. and Agopyan, V., in Fibre Reinforced Cement and Concretes, edited by Swamy, R. N., (RILEM Proc. 17, –E&FN Spon, London, 1992), pp. 1110–1119.Google Scholar
5. Savastano, H. Jr., in Vegetable Plants and their Fibres as Building Materials, edited by Sobral, H. S., (RILEM Proc. 7, Chapman and Hall, London, 1990), pp. 150–157.Google Scholar
6. Agopyan, V. and John, V. M., Building Research and Information, 20, 233 (1992).Google Scholar
7. Agopyan, V., in Natural Fibre-Reinforced Cement and Concrete, edited by Swamy, R. N. (Blackie, Glasgow, 1988) pp. 208–242.Google Scholar
8. Goodhew, P. J. and Humphreys, F. J., Electron microscopy and analysis, 2nd. ed. (Taylor & Francis, London, 1988).Google Scholar
9. Kjellsen, K. O., Detwiler, R. J. and Gjorv, O. E., Cem. Concr. Res., 21, 388 (1991).Google Scholar
10. Akers, S. A. S. and Garret, G. G., J. Mater. Sci., 18, 2200 (1983).Google Scholar
11. RILEM Technical Committee 49 TFR, Structures and Materials, 17, 441 (1984).Google Scholar
12. Ramaswamy, H. S., Ahuja, B. M., and Krishnamoorthy, S., Int. J. Cem. Comp. and Lightweight Concr., 5, 3 (1983).Google Scholar