Influence of Carbon Nanotubes Concentration on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortars

Abstract

In recent decades, mechanical properties of composite materials containing carbon nanoparticles, in particular single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs or MWCNTs), have been researched, taking into account their excellent physical and mechanical characteristics. In this work, the influence of the concentration of MWCNTs (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.35 wt.%) on compressive and flexural strengths of the cement mortar was investigated. The results of the research show that the compressive and flexural strengths of the 7 and 28-day curing period samples reach their maximum value at 0.3% of nanotube concentration. In comparison to the control sample, the compressive strength increased by 10.93% within 7 days and by 32.0% within 28 days. And in the case of flexure, the strength of the test samples increased by 33.67% within 7 and by 36.50% within 28 days. It can be concluded that in the case of the selected carbon nanotubes and the material composition at 0.3% of MWCNTs, the compressive and flexural strength reach their maximum values.