Influences of Polypropylene Fiber on Properties of Foam Concrete with Iron Tailings

Abstract

Iron tailings are mineral wastes obtained from industrial processing and magnetic separation of iron ore. Foam concrete with iron tailings can be made with iron tailings, cement, fly ash, silica fume, polypropylene fiber, superplasticizer, early strength agent, accelerating agent and foaming agent. The influences of polypropylene fiber on the crack resistance and frost resistance of foam concrete have been investigated in this study. Further, the microstructure of foam concrete was observed. This result demonstrates that polypropylene fiber has greatly increased the crack resistance and frost resistance of foam concrete. The pore structure of foam concrete is improved obviously by polypropylene fiber. Due to the uniformly distributed pores, high porosity and rather complete pore wall, the mechanical properties and thermal properties of foam concrete are excellent. The foam concrete with high-strength and excellent thermal insulation property develops a new route for the comprehensive utilization of iron tailings.