Technology methods in textile cement-based composites

Recently there is a growing interest in the use of fabrics as reinforcements for cement composites. This paper compares the effects of two different processing methods of casting vs. pultrusion on the mechanical properties, fabric-matrix bond, and microstructural characteristics of fabric-cement composites. Bonded glass mesh fabrics, woven polyvinylalcohol (PVA), as well as warp knitted weft insertion polypropylene (PP) fabrics were used in this study. Tensile tests were conducted to study the mechanical performance of the composites. Pullout tests were carried out to examine the bond between the fabric and the cement matrix. A microstructural analysis was conducted and correlated with the mechanical performance of the composite and bonding. The advantages of using the pultrusion process for the production of fabric-cement composites were clearly indicated in this study. Improved mechanical performance was obtained for fabric-cement composites produced with the pultrusion process, especially with fabrics made from multifilament yarns (not impregnated in epoxy) having open junction points (not glued). This improved mechanical performance was explained due to improve bonding, obtained by the impregnation process of the fabric in the cement chamber during the pultrusion process, which helped fill the spaces between the filaments of the bundled yarns