Investigation of electromagnetic interference shielding performance of ultra-high-performance mortar incorporating single-walled carbon nanotubes and steel fiber

Abstract

For security amenities and key infrastructure, construction materials with extraordinary mechanical, durability, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance are essential. This study investigates the EMI shielding performance of ultra-high performance mortar (UHPM) incorporating single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and steel fibers. Currently, no such work is present in the existing literature. Eight mixtures were prepared with varying SWCNT dosages (0%–0.03 % by weight of cement) and steel fiber additions (1.2 % of the volume of the UHPM mixture). The performance of UHPM incorporating SWCNT and steel fibers was evaluated through flow diameter, compressive strength, flexural strength, Schmidt hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity, EMI shielding performance, and scanning electron microscopy analysis tests. It is observed that increasing the SWCNT content enhances the compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and Schmidt hardness of UHPM. The addition of steel fibers further enhances compressive (up to 22 %) and flexural (up to 92 %) strengths. In terms of the transmittance behavior, the improved EMI shielding performance of UHPM with the increasing SWCNT content is observed prominently at high electromagnetic frequencies (i.e., 2500 MHz–5100 MHz). However, the improved shielding performance is observed to be quite low, limited to 10 dB. Moreover, combining steel fibers and SWCNT enhances the EMI shielding performance of UHPM in terms of the transmittance behavior. As a result, UHPM incorporating SWCNT and steel fibers behaves as an absorbent material, shielding a significant amount of energy, approximately 45 dB, at a frequency of 5000 MHz. Based on the results, UHPM incorporating SWCNT and steel fibers can be used effectively as EMI shielding material. The findings of this study will enhance the practical applications of UHPM incorporating SWCNT and steel fibers.