Abstract
Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.) fibres are thermally and alkali treated to enhance the interfacial bond between the fibre-matrix, the mechanical properties of the fibre itself, the fibre-reinforced thermally activated alum sludge ash (AASA) and the nanosilica (NS) blended cementitious composites. The tensile strength of treated fibres increases by approximately 160% compared to untreated fibres after 72-h immersion in a 6% optimum concentration of mild sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). The surface characteristic with refined crystallinity are confirmed by morphology observation from a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The treated KF reinforced AASA and NS blended cementitious composite (KFRBCC) blended with 50% AASA, and 4% NS had optimum mechanical properties, with an increase of 42.1% in the compressive strength compared to that of the control. The results suggest that fibre treatment and the addition of blended pozzolan significantly improve the physical and mechanical properties of fibre reinforced cementitious material.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akil, H. M., Omar, M. F., Mazuki, A. A. M., Safiee, S., Ishak, Z. A. M., and Abu Bakar, A. (2011). “Kenaf fiber reinforced composites: A review.” Materials and Design, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 4107–4121, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2011.04.008.
Akil, H., Zamri, M. H., and Osman, M. R. (2015). “The use of kenaf fibers as reinforcements in composites.” Biofiber Reinforcements in Composite Materials, pp. 138–161, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1533/9781782421276.1.138.
ASTM D3800-99 (2010). Standard test method for density of high-modulus fibers, D3800–99, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/D3800-16.
ASTM C496/C496M (2011). Standard test method for splitting tensile strength of cylindrical concrete specimens, C496/C496M, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0496_C0496M-17.
ASTM C70-13 (2013). Standard test method for surface moisture in fine aggregate, C70–13, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0070-13.
ASTM C230 (2013). Standard specification for flow table for use in tests of hydraulic cement, C230, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0230.
ASTM C305-14 (2014). Standard practice for mechanical mixing of hydraulic cement pastes and mortars of plastic consistency, C305-14, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0305-14.
ASTM C348-14 (2014). Standard test method for flexural strength of hydraulic-cement mortars, C348-14, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0305-14.
ASTM C128-15 (2015). Standard test method for relative density (Specific Gravity) and absorption of fine aggregate, C128-15, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0128-15.
ASTM C1437-15 (2015). Standard test method for flow of hydraulic cement mortar, C1437-15, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C1437-13.2.
ASTM C109 / C109M-16a (2016). Standard test method for compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube Specimens), C109 / C109M-16a, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0109_C0109M-05.
ASTM C948-81 (2016). Standard test method for dry and wet bulk density, water absorption, and apparent porosity of thin sections of glass-fiber reinforced concrete, C948-81, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0948-81R16.
ASTM C618-17 (2017). Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural pozzolan for use in concrete, C618-17, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0618-17.
ASTM C150 (2018). Standard specification for portland cement, C150, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/C0150_C0150M-18.
Beigi, M. H., Berenjian, J., Lotfi Omran, O., Sadeghi Nik, A., and Nikbin, I. M. (2013). “An experimental survey on combined effects of fibers and nanosilica on the mechanical, rheological, and durability properties of self-compacting concrete.” Materials and Design, Vol. 50, No. 134, pp. 1019–1029, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2013.03.046.
Cao, Y., Sakamoto, S., and Goda, K. (2007). “Effects of heat and alkali treatments on mechanical properties ofkenaf fibers.” 16th International Conf, on Composite Materials, Kyoto, Japan, pp. 1–4.
Chakraborty, S., Kundu, S. P., Roy, A., Basak, R. K., Adhikari, B., and Majumder, S. B. (2013). “Improvement of the mechanical properties of jute fibre reinforced cement mortar: A statistical approach.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol 38, No. 83, pp. 776–784, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.09.067.
Chao, S. H., Naaman, A. E., and Parra-Montesinos, G. J. (2009). “Bond behavior of reinforcing bars in tensile strain-hardening fiber-reinforced cement composites.” ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 106, No. 6, pp. 897–906, DOI: https://doi.org/10.14359/51663191.
Dai, D. and Fan, M. (2013). “Green modification of natural fibres with nanocellulose.” RSC Advances, Vol. 3, No. 14: 4659, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ra22196b.
Dawood, E. T. and Ramli, M. (2011). “High strength characteristics of cement mortar reinforced with hybrid fibres.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 2240–2247, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.11.008.
Elsaid, A., Dawood, M., Seracino, R., and Bobko, C. (2011). “Mechanical properties of kenaf fiber reinforced concrete.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 1991–2001, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.11.052.
Fuqua, M. A. and Ulven, C. A. (2008). “Characterization of polypropylene/corn fiber composites with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene.” Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 258–263, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1166/jbmb.2008.405.
Hashim, M. Y., Roslan, M. N., Mahzan, S., Zin, M., and Ariffin, S. (2014). “Impact of alkali treatment conditions on kenaf fiber polyester composite tensile strength.” Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol. 660, Vol. 660, pp. 285–289, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.660.285.
Hassan, M. M. and Wagner, M. H. (2016). “Surface modification of natural fibers for reinforced polymer composites: A critical review.” Progress of Adhesion and Adhesives, Vol 4, No. 1, pp. 1–46, DOI: https://doi.org/10.7569/RAA.2016.097302.
Hossain, S. I., Hasan, M., Hasan, N., and Hassan, A. (2013). “Effect of chemical treatment on physical, mechanical and thermal properties of ladies finger natural Fiber.” Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 2013, No. 96, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/824274.
Ibrahim, R. K., Hamid, R., and Taha, M. R. (2012). “Fire resistance of high-volume fly ash mortars with nanosilica addition.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 36, No. 92, pp. 779–786, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.05.028.
John, M. J. and Anandjiwala, R. D. (2008). “Recent developments in chemical modification and characterization of natural fiber-reinforced composites.” Polymer Composites, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 187–207, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.20461.
Kilic, A. and Sertabipoglu, Z. (2015). “Effect of heat treatment on pozzolanic activity of volcanic pumice used as cementitious material.” Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 57, No. 10, pp. 128–132, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.12.006.
Kwan, W. H., Ramli, M., and Cheah, C. B. (2014). “Flexural strength and impact resistance study of fibre reinforced concrete in simulated aggressive environment.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 63, No. 10, pp. 62–71, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.04.004.
Li, X., Tabil, L. G., and Panigrahi, S. (2007). “Chemical treatments of natural fiber for use in natural fiber-reinforced composites: A review.” Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 25–33, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0042-3.
Mader, A., Kondor, A., Schmid, T., Einsiedel, R., and Müssig, J. (2016). “Surface properties and fibre-matrix adhesion of man-made cellulose epoxy composites — Influence on impact properties.” Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 123, No. 19, pp. 163–170, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2015.12.007.
Mahjoub, R., Yatim, J. M., Mohd Sam, A. R., and Hashemi, S. H. (2014). “Tensile properties of kenaf fiber due to various conditions of chemical fiber surface modifications.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol 55, No. 14, pp. 103–113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.01.036.
Mukhopadhyay, S. and Fangueiro, R. (2009). “Physical modification of natural fibers and thermoplastic films for composites — A review.” Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 135–162, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0892705708091860.
Mukhopadhyay, S. and Khatana, S. (2015). “A review on the use of fibers in reinforced cementitious concrete.” Journal of Industrial Textiles, Vol 45, No. 2, pp. 239–264, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1528083714529806.
Mwaikambo, L. Y. and Ansell, M. P. (2002). “Chemical modification of hemp, sisal, jute, and kapok fibers by alkalization.” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol 84, No. 12, pp. 2222–2234, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.10460.
Naji Givi, A., Abdul Rashid, S., Aziz, F. N. A., and Salleh, M. A. M. (2011). “The effects of lime solution on the properties of SiO2 nanoparticles binary blended concrete.” Composites Part B: Engineering, Vol 42, No. 3, pp. 562–569, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2010.10.002.
Nuruddin, M. F., Chang, K. Y., and Azmee, N. M. (2014). “Workability and compressive strength of ductile self compacting concrete (DSCC) with various cement replacement materials.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 55, No. 19, pp. 153–157, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.12.094.
Owaid, H. M., Hamid, R., and Taha, M. R. R. (2014). “Influence of thermally activated alum sludge ash on the engineering properties of multiple-blended binders concretes.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol 61, No. 25, pp. 216–229, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.03.014.
Papatzani, S. (2016). “Effect of nanosilica and montmorillonite nanoclay particles on cement hydration and microstructure.” Material Science and Technology, Vol 32, No. 2, pp. 138–153, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/1743284715Y.0000000067.
Pickering, K. L. L., Efendy, M. G. G. A., and Le, T. M. M. (2015). “A review of recent developments in natural fibre composites and their mechanical performance.” Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol 83, No. 10, pp. 98–112, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.08.038.
Pietak, A., Korte, S., Tan, E., Downard, A., and Staiger, M. P. (2007). “Atomic force microscopy characterization of the surface wettability of natural fibres.” Applied Surface Science, Vol 253, No. 7, pp. 3627–3635, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.07.082.
Poon, C. S., Cao, M., Zhang, C., and Wei, J. (2013). “Microscopic reinforcement for cement based composite materials.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol 40, No. 3, pp. 14–25, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.10.012.
Ramamoorthy, S. K., Skrifvars, M., and Persson, A. (2015). “A review of natural fibers used in biocomposites: Plant, animal and regenerated cellulose fibers.” Polymer Reviews, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 107–162, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2014.971124.
Ridzuan, M. J. M., Majid, M. S. A., Afendi, M., Azduwin, K., Kanafiah, S. N. A., and Dan-mallam, Y. (2015). “The effects of the alkaline treatment’s soaking exposure on the tensile strength of napier fibre.” Procedia Manufacturing, Vol. 2, No. 62, pp. 353–358, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.062.
Silva, F. D. A., Chawla, N., and Filho, R. D. D. T. (2008). “Tensile behavior of high performance natural (sisal) fibers.” Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 68, No. 15, pp. 3438–3443, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.10.001.
Tantawy, M. A. (2015). “Characterization and pozzolanic properties of calcined alum sludge.” Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 61, No. 62, pp. 415–421, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2014.10.042.
Teli, M. D. and Jadhav, A. C. (2016). “Effect of alkali treatment on the properties of Agave augustifolia v. marginata fibre.” International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 2754–2761.
Wei, J., Ma, S., and Thomas, D. G. (2016). “Correlation between hydration of cement and durability of natural fiber-reinforced cement composites.” Corrosion Science, Vol. 106, No. 15, pp. 1–15, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2016.01.020.
Wei, J. and Meyer, C. (2016). “Utilization of rice husk ash in green natural fiber-reinforced cement composites: Mitigating degradation of sisal fiber.” Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 81, pp. 94–111, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.12.001.
Zanjani, Z. V. and Bobko, C. P. (2014). “Nano-mechanical properties of internally cured kenaf fiber reinforced concrete using nanoindentation.” Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 9–17, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.04.002.
Zhang, M. H., Sisomphon, K., Ng, T. S., and Sun, D. J. (2010). “Effect of superplasticizers on workability retention and initial setting time of cement pastes.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 24, No. 9, pp. 1700–1707, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.02.021.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for financial support under Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2016/TK06/UKM/02/2) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia through AP-2015-011.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ahmad, R., Hamid, R. & Osman, S.A. Effect of Fibre Treatment on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Blended Cementitious Composites. KSCE J Civ Eng 23, 4022–4035 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-019-1535-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-019-1535-7