Effect of mixing methods on the dispersion of fibers in the gypsum matrix and performance improvement mechanism

Abstract

This study presents an experimental analysis of the workability and mechanical properties of basalt fiber-reinforced gypsum (BFRG) composite materials using different fiber mixing methods: Method A (pre-mixing method I), Method B (co-mixing method), Method C (post-mixing method), and Method D (pre-mixing method II). The fracture sections of the specimens were observed, and the setting time, flowability, water absorption, flexural strength, compressive strength, and softening coefficient were tested. The influence of different mixture methods on the ductility of FRG was analyzed according to the flexural stress–strain curves and compressive stress–strain curves. The results show that pre-mixing the fiber and gypsum before mixing with water (Method A) more evenly disperses the fiber in the gypsum matrix, reducing the setting time by 10% and increasing the water absorption by 10.3%. Compared with the control group, Method A increased the flexural strength of the gypsum matrix by 40.6%, the compressive strength decreased by 11.1%. In addition, in Method A, the flexural ductility and compressive ductility were increased by 72.82% and 362.6%, respectively.