Concrete reinforced with irradiated nylon fibers

Abstract

Polymeric fibers have been used since the 1980s for improvement of the concrete. However, high mechanical performance has been obtained at high cost and using complex technologies. At least two parameters are important here: dimensions and surface characteristics of the fibers. We have modified nylon 6,12 fiber surfaces by 5, 10, 50, and 100 kGy gamma irradiation dosages. Tensile strength of the irradiated fibers was determined and then the fibers mixed at 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% in volume with Portland cement, gravel, sand, and water. The compressive strength of the fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) was evaluated and the results were compared with results for similar materials reported before. The highest values of the compressive strength of FRC are seen for fibers at 50 kGy and 2.0% in volume of fiber; the strength is 122.2 MPa, as compared to 35 MPa for simple concrete without fibers. We advance a mechanism by which the fiber structure can be affected by gamma irradiation resulting in the compressive strength improvement of the concrete.

Effects of polyester fibers and gamma irradiation on mechanical properties of polymer concrete containing CaCO3 and silica sand

“…Our main interest consists in grafting polymers onto aggregates surfaces. c) Irradiation -by a variety of sources [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Gamma irradiation has several advantages over conventional curing processes: I) no catalyst or additives are needed to initiate the reaction; II) the initiation is homogenous throughout the system; III) it can be performed at any temperature and be interrupted at a chosen reaction time; IV) the polymer can be analyzed at selected reaction stages; and V) the temperature during reaction initialization is maintained -as contrasted with highly exothermic curing without irradiation.…”

Gamma Radiation as a Novel Technology for Development of New Generation Concrete

“…A total and fast cure for certain polymers is achieved by gamma radiation in the cases when the catalyst does not complete its function, as total polymerization process of the polymer resin [Delahaye et al, 1998;Martínez-Barrera et al, 2006]. This eliminates the need for further additives or monomers.…”

Combined effect of nano-SiO2 particles and steel fibers on flexural properties of concrete composite containing fly ash

“…A variety of research has been conducted to investigate the characteristics and advantages of fiber-reinforced concrete in the last few decades. Fibers suitable for reinforcing concrete can be made of steel [18], glass [19], polyethylene [20], polypropylene [21,22], polyvinyl alcohol [23], polyester [24], mineral [25], and nylon [26]. Among these fibers, steel fiber is one of the most popular and widely used fibers in both research and practice.…”