Carbon fiber effect on the physico-mechanical and durability properties of a cement/coir pith composite

Composites using renewable lightweight aggregates were produced with carbon fiber waste as reinforcement. The effects of the carbon fiber waste and high energy milling process on the physical, mechanical and durability properties of the cement/coir pith composite were evaluated. The utilization of the milling process resulted in improved mechanical properties, with performance gains of 87% in the compressive strength compared to that of composite without milling. The addition of fiber waste resulted in gains ranging from 113% and 192% in the flexural strength compared to that of composite without fibers. A slight reduction in the apparent density and increases in the apparent porosity and water absorption were observed in the composites with carbon fibers. The durability results showed the stability of the flexural mechanical properties up to 360 days for composites with carbon fibers. The combination of the milling process and the addition of short carbon fiber waste enabled the production of a lighter composite with better mechanical properties. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.