Evaluation of mechanical properties of chopped glass/basalt fibers reinforced polymer mortars

Abstract

Nowadays, Polymer Mortars (PMs) are among the most remarkable engineering products in the construction industry. These materials, which are manufactured using a completely different technique compared to Portland Cement Mortars (PCMs), have become increasingly popular as mortar types in both superstructure and infrastructure. PMs, which have high compressive and tensile strength compared to PCMs, have brittle behavior like PCMs. In this study, the influence of chopped fibers on the engineering properties and fracture modes of PMs is investigated. The research focuses on two different chopped fibers: chopped glass fibers and basalt fibers (CGFs and CBFs) and their influence on the physical and mechanical properties of PMs. In this regard, three different mixtures; M1 (0.5 % CGFs and 0% CBFs based on pure PC weight), M2 (0% CGFs and 0.5 % CBFs based on pure PC weight) and M3 (0.25 % CGFs and 0.25 % CBFs based on pure PC weight) were prepared and different mechanical tests were performed on the samples considering different curing times; 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Besides, digital microscope (DM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations were performed to obtain detailed information about fiber pullout, fiber breakage, debonding or cracking in the matrix. As a result of the experimental studies and evaluations, it was found that chopped fibers have an influence on the mechanical properties and failure modes of PMs and CBFs are better additives compared to CGFs, with M2 giving more effective results in terms of mechanical properties.