Nonconventional Curing for Fiber-Cement Material

The proposal presented in this paper is to use accelerated carbonation via carbonated water to modify the microstructure of the cementitious matrix. This particular process generates stabilization of the pore volume in the early age of the composite and avoiding the degradation of the cellulosic fiber, which is susceptible to the alkaline attack of the cementitious matrix. Chemical and morphological characterizations were performed, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The compounds were also physically (water absorption and density) and mechanically analyzed (four-point bending test: modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, limit of proportionality and specific energy) after 28 days of wet curing and after 200 soak & dry cycles. The results show that there is a need for a brief period of hydration and then it is possible to carbonate the materials. Carbonation yields substantial mechanical and physical gains, as well as greater protection of the fiber that does not mineralize.