abstract
In this investigation, an innovative and sustainable solution for glass fibre off-cuts is proposed. For the first time, glass fibre fabrics (non-woven mat) produced during wind turbine blade manufacture were used to produce reinforced inorganic polymer composites. The influence of fabric amount on the composites' microstructure, water absorption, strength and apparent density was investigated. Results show that the fabrics exhibited an impressive flexural strength gain (up to 144%) at the 28th day, when compared to the non-reinforced geopolymer, while simultaneously increasing the composites' ductility. This feature may extend the application range of such geopolymers. Moreover, the fabric prevents the complete collapse of the composites upon failure, while the matrix alone fails catastrophically under load. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
keywords
BIOMASS FLY-ASH; MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES; COMPOSITES; NANOCLAY; MORTARS; WATER
subject category
Construction & Building Technology; Engineering; Materials Science
authors
Novais, RM; Carvalheiras, J; Capela, MN; Seabra, MP; Pullar, RC; Labrincha, JA
our authors
João António de Sousa Carvalheiras
PhD Student
João António Labrincha Batista
Associate Professor with Aggregation
Maria Paula Seabra
Assistant Professor
Marinélia Capela
PhD Student
Rob Pullar
Collaborator
Rui Miguel Novais
Assistant Professoracknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID /am /50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. R.C. Pullar thanks the FCT for funding under grant IF/00681/2015.