Effect of a foaming agent and a pozzolan on properties of high silica content fiber–cement composites

Abstract

Combination of fly ash (FA) and micro aluminum powder (AL) is an alternative to produce cement composites out of Equisetum (Eq. telmateia) fibers which would have acceptable thermal and mechanical properties. In this study, Type II Portland cement, class F FA, AL, Equisetumtelmateia fibers and silica fume gel used to manufacture structural composite boards with target density and thickness of 1 g/cm3 and 13 mm respectively. Influences of additives on properties of produced composites were investigated in analysis on thermal, mechanical, hydration properties and DSC analysis. The results have shown that, replacing cement with FA increases mechanical properties of the composite, but increasing AL in composite would decrease its strengths. AL and FA resulted in improvement of thermal conductivity and hydration parameters. The hybrid FA/AL Equisetum fiber–cement composite as a thermal insulation material with acceptable mechanical properties is extremely desired for used as ceiling and wall constructing material.