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Concrete reinforced with irradiated nylon fibers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2006

Gonzalo Martínez-Barrera*
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Materiales Avanzados (LIDMA), Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km.12 de la carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco, San Cayetano 50200, Mexico; and Laboratory of Advanced Polymers & Optimized Materials (LAPOM), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of North Texas,Denton, Texas 76203-5310
Carmina Menchaca-Campos
Affiliation:
Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas (CIICAp), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico; and Center for the Study of Matter at Extreme Conditions (CeSMEC), Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199
Susana Hernández-López
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Materiales Avanzados (LIDMA), Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km.12 de la carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco, San Cayetano 50200, Mexico
Enrique Vigueras-Santiago
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Materiales Avanzados (LIDMA), Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km.12 de la carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco, San Cayetano 50200, Mexico
Witold Brostow
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Advanced Polymers & Optimized Materials (LAPOM), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203-5310
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: gonmar@uaemex.mx
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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.

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Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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