Abstract
Natural fibres are regarded as a potential bio-based alternative to traditional fibre material used in cement-based composites. A well-known complication of natural fibres is their instability the alkaline cement environment, which causes degradation. This work presents a study of mechanical performance, microstructure, and composition of coir fibres exposed to alkalinity, focusing on short-term degradation mechanisms of degradation. Fibre performance was found to be unrelated to the alkalinity of the medium and only hemicellulose was found to readily degrade in a highly alkaline environment. It was therefore concluded that alkaline hydrolysis is not the main factor involved in natural fibre degradation.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 124906 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Construction and Building Materials |
Volume | 306 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2021 |
Keywords
- Natural fibres
- bio-based materials
- Cement-fibre composites
- Cement-fibre compatibility
- Alkaline degradation
- Short-term degradation
- Alkaline hydrolysis
- Fibre mineralisation
- Bio-based material
- Natural fibre