Properties of high-alumina cement reinforced with alkali resistant glass fibres

Abstract

The changes in the mechanical properties of cement composites made from high-alumina cement and Cem-FIL AR-glass fibres kept in three different environments up to 10 years are described. While the flexural and impact properties of the composite remained largely unaffected with time in a relatively dry atmosphere, in wet conditions a reduction in strength takes place. In natural weather the 10 year modulus of rupture and impact strength values are 22.8 MIN m⁻² and 6.7 KJ m⁻², respectively, corresponding to the 28 day values of 41.2 MN m⁻² and 22.8 KJ m⁻². These values are significantly better than the corresponding results obtained with Portland cement composites made from Cem-FIL fibres. High-alumina cement composites reinforced by E-glass fibre lose a very large proportion of their flexural and impact strength under wet conditions. The strength reduction with time observed for glass fibre reinforced high-alumina cement composites can be related to two sources: (a) the reduction in the strength of the glass fibre due to chemical corrosion and (b) “conversion” of the matrix. The latter has greater influence on those composite properties that are matrix controlled such as the Young's modulus whereas any significant reduction in fibre tensile strength is reflected in a corresponding loss in composite tensile and bending strength. Matrix conversion may also influence the fibre-matrix bond.