Development of Alfa Fiber-Based Mortar with Improved Thermo-Mechanical Properties

Siham Sakami,Lahcen Boukhattem,Brahim Benhamou,Mustapha Boumhaout

doi:10.3390/app10228021

Abstract

This work deals with the development of a new composite based on mortar reinforced with optimally sized alfa fiber (AF). Experimental investigations of physical and thermo-mechanical properties of the new AF mortar composite are performed for AF weight fraction varying from 0% to 5%. This simple material preparation process is described and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is undertaken to analyze the morphology of this composite. It shows a random dispersion of the AF into the mortar matrix. Physical properties such as open porosity, water absorption, and bulk density fluctuations with AF mass content are measured. Measured thermal conductivity is compared to the values generated by different prediction models. Good agreement, within 9.6%, is obtained with data predicted by Woodside–Messmer’s method. It is demonstrated that this simple blending of AF into mortar improves significantly the thermo-mechanical behavior of the new composite. An addition of 5% of AF weight content makes composite material lighter by about 15%, enhances its insulating thermal capabilities by about 57% and increases its heat diffusion damping rate by about 49%. Moreover, the composite mechanical (flexural and compressive) strength increases by up to 10% for an AF weight content of 1%.

Highlights

The use of natural plant fibers as reinforcement to concrete has become very attractive [1].This is due to the increase of environmental awareness and to the advantages of these fibers such as availability, recyclability, low cost, environmentally friendly, harmlessness, abrasion free, biodegradability, and better thermo-mechanical performance when compared to conventional fibers.Different natural fibers could be good candidates for blending with other compounds in order to develop new thermal insulating composite materials
Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphology of Alfa Fiber Reference Mortar (AFRM) composites
Mortar reinforced with alfa fiber for thermal insulating building construction was developed

Summary

Introduction

Different natural fibers (date palm, cotton, sisal, flax, hemp, jute, ramie, kenaf, bamboo, banana, coir, coconut and wheat straws) could be good candidates for blending with other compounds (cement, clay, sand, lime, gypsum, mortar, concrete, etc.) in order to develop new thermal insulating composite materials. The alfa plant, called esparto grass stems (Stipa tenacissima), grows abundantly in the Mediterranean basin, especially in countries such as Spain, Italy, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. This fiber is a permanent plant that does not disappear during winter and grows in independent Several studies have been conducted on various vegetable fibers from sisal [2], coconut [3], hemp [4], kenaf [5], banana [6], date palm [7], bamboo [8], jute [9] to alfa fiber [10].

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Conclusion