Assessment of fracture properties of epoxy polymer concrete reinforced with short carbon and glass fibers

Abstract

Polymer concrete is a composite material formed by polymerizing a monomer and aggregate mixture. The polymerized monomer acts as the aggregates binder. In this research work, the polymer is epoxy resin and the aggregate is a silica sand as used in the foundry industry. Initiators and promoters are added to the resin prior to its mixing with the inorganic aggregates to initiate the curing reaction. Fracture behavior of chopped carbon and glass fibers reinforced epoxy polymer concrete was investigated in this study using the two parameter model, according to RILEM recommendations. This is a direct method to calculate two size independent fracture parameters, i.e., the critical stress intensity factor, K IC, and the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD). Beams with central notch, under three point bending using attached clip gauge to measure the CTOD were tested. The chopped carbon and glass fibers used were 6 mm long. The glass fibers were also pre-treated with Silane to improve the adhesion between fibers and resin and fracture properties. In general, addition of fibers increases flexural strength and fracture properties. The fracture toughness of carbon fiber reinforced polymer concrete can increase up to 29% while glass fiber polymer concrete can increase up to 13% when comparing with epoxy non reinforced polymer concrete. The object of this research work is to evaluate the influence of fibers in the mechanical and fracture properties of polymer concrete.