High Performance Natural Fiber-Nanoclay Reinforced Cement Nanocomposites (eBook)

Prof. It-Meng (Jim) Low is based in the Applied Physics department Curtin University, Australia. He has been involved in the synthesis and characterization of MAX phases, UHTCs, advanced ceramics and composite materials for the past 20 years.Prof. Low has published over 250 archival research papers, books and book chapters have been produced and in excess of 1895 citations have been received. H-index is 23 with an average over 7 citations per paper.Dr. Faiz Uddin Ahmed Shaikh is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, Australia. Mr. Ahmad Hakamy is a PhD Student in the Department of Applied Physics, Curtin University, Australia. 

Contents 6
1 Introduction 9
References 14
2 Materials and Methodology 17
2.1 Materials 17
2.2 Sample Preparation 19
2.2.1 Cement Nanocomposite 19
2.2.2 Untreated and Treated Hemp Fabric-Reinforced Cement Nanocomposites 20
2.2.3 Thermal Treatment of Nanoclay 20
2.2.4 Curing and Specimens 21
2.3 Material Characterisation 21
2.3.1 X-Ray Diffraction 21
2.3.2 High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy 22
2.3.3 Synchrotron Radiation Diffraction 22
2.3.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy 22
2.3.5 Thermogravimetric Analysis 23
2.4 Physical Properties 23
2.5 Mechanical Properties 24
2.5.1 Compressive Strength 24
2.5.2 Flexural Strength and Fracture Toughness 24
2.5.3 Impact Strength 25
References 25
3 Hemp Fabric Reinforced Organoclay–Cement Nanocomposites: Microstructures, Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties 26
3.1 Introduction 26
3.2 Results and Discussion 27
3.2.1 High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy 27
3.2.2 XRD Analysis 28
3.2.3 Porosity and Density 30
3.2.4 Mechanical Properties 31
3.2.5 Flexural Strength 31
3.2.6 Flexural Modulus 34
3.2.7 Fracture Toughness 35
3.2.8 Thermal Stability 38
3.2.9 Impact Strength 41
3.3 Conclusions 42
References 42
4 Nanoclay and Calcined Nanoclay-Cement Matrix: Microstructres, Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties 44
4.1 Introduction 44
4.2 Results and Discussion 45
4.2.1 XRD Analysis 45
4.2.2 Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy Analysis 45
4.2.3 High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy 47
4.3 Quantitative X-Ray Diffraction Analysis 48
4.3.1 Calculation of Ca(OH)2 Content in Cement Nanocomposites 50
4.3.2 Porosity, Water Absorption and Density 51
4.3.3 Compressive Strength 53
4.3.4 Flexural Strength 54
4.3.5 Fracture Toughness 55
4.3.6 Impact Strength 56
4.3.7 Rockwell Hardness 56
4.3.8 Thermal Stability 57
4.4 Cost-Benefit Analysis and Applications 58
4.5 Conclusions 59
References 59
5 Chemically-Treated Hemp Fabric and Calcined Nanoclay Reinforced Cement Nanocomposites: Microstructures, Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties 62
5.1 Introduction 62
5.2 Results and Discussion 63
5.2.1 XRD Analysis of Calcined Nanoclay 63
5.2.2 High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy 64
5.2.3 Surface Morphology of Hemp Fabric 65
5.2.4 Crystallinity Index of Hemp Fabric 66
5.2.5 Quantitative X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of Nano-Matrix 67
5.2.6 Porosity and Density 69
5.2.7 Flexural Strength of Hemp Fabric-Reinforced Cement Composites 70
5.2.8 Fracture Toughness 74
5.2.9 Failure Mechanisms 75
5.2.10 TGA of Hemp Fabric 77
5.2.11 Impact Strength 77
5.2.12 Thermal Stability 78
5.3 Conclusions 80
References 81
6 Durability of Naoh-Treated Hemp Fabric and Calcined Nanoclay-Reinforced Cement Nanocomposites 84
6.1 Introduction 84
6.2 Results and Discussion 84
6.2.1 Nanocomposites 84
6.2.2 Hemp Fabric-Reinforced Nanocomposites 86
6.2.3 Flexural Strength of Nanocomposites 88
6.2.4 Flexural Strength of Hemp Fabric-Reinforced Nanocomposites 89
6.2.5 Microstructural Analysis 90
6.3 Cost and Applications 93
6.4 Conclusions 93
References 94
7 Summary and Concluding Remarks 96
7.1 Nanoclay-Cement Nanocomposites 96
7.2 Hemp Fabric-Reinforced Nanoclay-Cement Nanocomposites 97
7.3 Calcined Nanoclay-Cement Nanocomposites 97
7.4 Un-Treated and NaOH Treated Hemp Fabric-Reinforced Cement Composites 98
7.5 NaOH Treated Hemp Fabric Reinforced Calcined Nanoclay-Cement Nanocomposites 99
7.6 Durability of NaOH Treated Hemp Fabric Reinforced Calcined Nanoclay-Cement Nanocomposites Subjected to Wet/Dry Cycles 100
7.7 Concluding Remarks 101