An experimental and theoretical study of biomimetic cement-epoxy resin composites: structure, mechanical properties, and reinforcement mechanisms

Abstract

There is an urgent demand within the engineering community for a material that possesses both high strength and toughness, especially for the widely-used cement-based composites, with an inherent defect of brittleness. Usually, introducing polymer emulsions into cements enhances the toughness at the expense of compressive strength. Taking Inspiration from the ‘brick-and-mortar’ structure found in shells, this study utilized the ice template method to create a layered cement framework and then filled epoxy resin into the gaps between adjacent cement lamellae, thereby preparing an ordered-microstructure composite with cement and epoxy resin lamellae alternatively arranged. Compared with traditional cement paste, the composite exhibited an impressive increase of up to 197% in flexural strength, 464% in flexural toughness, and 82% in compressive strength. It can be ascribed to the distinctive layered structure and the tightly bonded interface between the organic resin and inorganic cement, which lead to crack deflection and energy adsorption.