Skip to main content

Improving Impact Resistance of Polymer Concrete Using CNTs

Research Authors
Sherif M Daghash, Eslam M Soliman, Usama F Kandil, Mahmoud M Reda Taha
Research Department
Research Year
2016
Research Journal
International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
Research Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Research Vol
10(4)
Research Rank
1
Research_Pages
539-553
Research Website
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40069-016-0165-4
Research Abstract

Polymer concrete (PC) has been favoured over Portland cement concrete when low permeability, high adhesion, and/or high durability against aggressive environments are required. In this research, a new class of PC incorporating Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) is introduced. Four PC mixes with different MWCNTs contents were examined. MWCNTs were carefully dispersed in epoxy resin and then mixed with the hardener and aggregate to produce PC. The impact strength of the new PC was investigated by performing low-velocity impact tests. Other mechanical properties of the new PC including compressive, flexural, and shear strengths were also characterized. Moreover, microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of PC incorporating MWCNTs was performed. Impact test results showed that energy absorption of PC with 1.0 wt% MWCNTs by weight of epoxy resin was significantly improved by 36 % compared with conventional PC. Microstructural analysis demonstrated evidence that MWCNTs significantly altered the chemical structure of epoxy matrix. The changes in the microstructure lead to improvements in the impact resistance of PC, which would benefit the design of various PC structural elements.