Joule heating as a smart approach in enhancing early strength development of mineral-impregnated carbon-fibre composites (MCF) made with geopolymer

The article at hand presents a novel approach to accelerating the early strength development of mineralimpregnated carbon-fibre composites (MCF) by electrical Joule heating. MCF were produced with a metakaolin-based geopolymer suspension and subsequently cured using Ohmic heating under systemically varied voltages and durations. The MCF produced were characterised in respect of their mechanical and morphological properties. Threepoint-bending and uniaxial tension tests yielded significant enhancement of MCF mechanical properties due to curing within only a few hours. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) as well as micro-computed tomography (μCT) confirmed advanced geopolymerisation by the electrical heating process and a strong sensitivity to parameter selection. After only two hours of resistance heating MCF could demonstrate tensile strength of up to 2800 MPa, showing the great potential for applying the Joule effect as a possibility to enhance the strength development of geopolymer-based MCF. Moreover, the applied method offers a huge potential to manufacture automated fast out-of-oven cured MCF with a variety of shapes and dimensions

Measurements of H2 Solubility in Saline Solutions under Reservoir Conditions: Preliminary Results from Project H2STORE

AbstractA high-pressure/high-temperature reactor has been used to lead PVT and H2-solubility experiments in saline solutions covering conditions for which no data are available in literature: salinity up to halite concentration, pressure up to 200bar and temperature up to 373K. The hereby presented preliminary results show significant deviations from theoretical models. Further analysis and more measurements are needed to assess precision and reproducibility of these measurements; however they pinpoint the importance of experimental work to reliably constrain predictive models

An experimental-analytical scale-linking study on the crack-bridging mechanisms in different types of SHCC in dependence on fiber orientation

A scale-linking, experimental study complemented by an analytical model was carried out to investigate the influence of fiber orientation on the crack-opening behavior of strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC). Three SHCC compositions were investigated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers in combination with normal- and high-strength matrices. The micromechanical experiments with fiber inclinations of 0◦, 30◦, 45◦, and 60◦ involved fiber embedment in plain and fiber-reinforced specimens. The experimentally derived micromechanical parameters were input into an analytical crack-bridging model to assess the upscaling accuracy of the micromechanical results by comparing the predicted crack-bridging laws to the single-crack opening behavior of equivalent miniature SHCC specimens with controlled fiber orientation. This study yields new insights into the effect of fiber orientation on the crackbridging properties of different types of SHCC, assesses the link between micromechanical and composite scale properties, offers a solid experimental basis for refining the analytical models, and developing anisotropic materials models for SHCC in dependence on fiber orientation

Effect of Graphite Nanoplate Morphology on the Dispersion and Physical Properties of Polycarbonate Based Composites

The influence of the morphology of industrial graphite nanoplate (GNP) materials on their dispersion in polycarbonate (PC) is studied. Three GNP morphology types were identified, namely lamellar, fragmented or compact structure. The dispersion evolution of all GNP types in PC is similar with varying melt temperature, screw speed, or mixing time during melt mixing. Increased shear stress reduces the size of GNP primary structures, whereby the GNP aspect ratio decreases. A significant GNP exfoliation to individual or few graphene layers could not be achieved under the selected melt mixing conditions. The resulting GNP macrodispersion depends on the individual GNP morphology, particle sizes and bulk density and is clearly reflected in the composite's electrical, thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties. Based on a comparison with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon black (CB), CNT are recommended in regard to electrical conductivity, whereas, for thermal conductive or gas barrier application, GNP is preferred

Effect of Graphite Nanoplate Morphology on the Dispersion and Physical Properties of Polycarbonate Based Composites

The influence of the morphology of industrial graphite nanoplate (GNP) materials on their dispersion in polycarbonate (PC) is studied. Three GNP morphology types were identified, namely lamellar, fragmented or compact structure. The dispersion evolution of all GNP types in PC is similar with varying melt temperature, screw speed, or mixing time during melt mixing. Increased shear stress reduces the size of GNP primary structures, whereby the GNP aspect ratio decreases. A significant GNP exfoliation to individual or few graphene layers could not be achieved under the selected melt mixing conditions. The resulting GNP macrodispersion depends on the individual GNP morphology, particle sizes and bulk density and is clearly reflected in the composite's electrical, thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties. Based on a comparison with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon black (CB), CNT are recommended in regard to electrical conductivity, whereas, for thermal conductive or gas barrier application, GNP is preferred

Achieving electrical conductive tracks by laser treatment of non-conductive polypropylene/polycarbonate blends filled with MWCNTs

Electrical non-conductive polymer blends consisting of a polypropylene (PP) matrix and dispersed particles of polycarbonate (PC) were melt compounded with 3 wt.% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) loading and processed into plates by injection molding. The morphological analysis confirmed the selective localization of the MWCNTs in the PC component. By local irradiation with a CO2 laser beam, depending on the laser conditions, conductive tracks with dimensions of about 2 mm width, 80 to 370 μm depth and line resistances as low as 1.5 kΩ · cm-1 were created on the surface of the non-conductive plates. The factors affecting the line resistance are the PC content, the laser speed and laser power, as well as laser direction with respect to the melt flow direction. After the irradiation an enrichment of MWCNTs in the laser lines was detected indicating that conductive paths were generated by percolation of nanotubes selectively within these lines in otherwise non-conductive plates. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Rissdetektion und -lokalisierung in Betonstrukturen mittels Auswertung elektromagnetischer Hochfrequenzwellen

Das Erkennen und die Lokalisierung kritischer Risse ist ein wesentlicher Schlüssel für eine sichere und nachhaltige Bauwerksnutzung. In diesem Beitrag wird ein neuartiges, kostengünstiges Sensorsystem vorgestellt, das zur Echtzeit-Zustandsüberwachung von sowohl neuen als auch Bestandsbauwerken geeignet ist. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das System prinzipiell in der Lage ist, die Gesamtdehnung eines Bauteiles zu erfassen sowie auftretende Risse zu erkennen und zu lokalisieren. Die Erkennungsgenauigkeit hängt dabei von technischen Parametern ab, wodurch das System auf verschiedene Einsatzszenarien angepasst werden kann

Mineral-Based Coating of Plasma-Treated Carbon Fibre Rovings for Carbon Concrete Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Performance

Surfaces of carbon fibre roving were modified by means of a low temperature plasma treatment to improve their bonding with mineral fines; the latter serving as an inorganic fibre coating for the improved mechanical performance of carbon reinforcement in concrete matrices. Variation of the plasma conditions, such as gas composition and treatment time, was accomplished to establish polar groups on the carbon fibres prior to contact with the suspension of mineral particles in water. Subsequently, the rovings were implemented in a fine concrete matrix and their pull-out performance was assessed. Every plasma treatment resulted in increased pull-out forces in comparison to the reference samples without plasma treatment, indicating a better bonding between the mineral coating material and the carbon fibres. Significant differences were found, depending on gas composition and treatment time. Microscopic investigations showed that the samples with the highest pull-out force exhibited carbon fibre surfaces with the largest areas of hydration products grown on them. Additionally, the coating material ingresses into the multifilament roving in these specimens, leading to better force transfer between individual carbon filaments and between the entire roving and surrounding matrix, thus explaining the superior mechanical performance of the specimens containing appropriately plasma-treated carbon roving

Development and testing of fast curing, mineral-impregnated carbon fiber (MCF) reinforcements based on metakaolin-made geopolymers

Mineralisch getränkte Carbonfasern (MCF) stellen eine vielversprechende Alternative zu herkömmlichen Stahlbewehrung in Beton dar. Für eine effiziente industrielle Herstellung von MCF muss eine ausreichende Verarbeitungszeit für die Imprägniersuspension gewährleistet sein. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurde zu diesem Zweck ein aus Metakaolin hergestelltes Geopolymer (GP) entwickelt und getestet. Die Tränkung von Carbonfasergarnen wurde kontinuierlich und automatisiert durchgeführt. Anschließend wurden die MCF bei 75 °C wärmebehandelt, um die Reaktionsprozesse zu beschleunigen. Die mechanische Leistung von MCF nahm im Verlauf des Aushärtungsprozesses von 2 auf 8 Stunden allmählich zu, was auf das größere Ausmaß der Geopolymerisation zurückzuführen ist. Bei einer solchen verlängerten Aushärtung zeigten thermogravimetrische und mikroskopische Analysen zwar eine stärkere 'reagierte' Mikrostruktur, aber auch einen höheren Gehalt an Hohlräumen. Nach 8-stündigen Erhitzen erreichten die Zugfestigkeit und der Young-Modul von MCF 2960 MPa bzw. 259 GPa, bezogen auf die Garnquerschnittsfläche.:Abstract Schlagwörter 1. Einleitung 2. Experimentelles Programm 2.1. Materialien 2.2. Herstellung von MCF 2.3. Testen der Geopolymermatrix 2.4. Mechanische Prüfung von MCF 2.5. Morphologische Charakterisierung 3. Ergebnisse und Diskussion 3.1. Charakterisierung der Geopolymermatrix 3.2. Hergestellte MCF mit Geopolymer und Wärmebehandlung bei 75 °C. 3.3. Chemische und morphologische Analyse 4. Schlussfolgerung Erklärung des konkurrierenden Interesses LiteraturenMineral-impregnated, carbon fiber composites (MCF) are a promising alternative to conventional concrete reinforcements. For the efficient industrial production of MCF, sufficient processing time for the impregnation suspension must be ensured. In the present investigation, a metakaolin-made geopolymer (GP) has been developed and tested for this purpose. The impregnation of carbon-fiber yarns was performed continuously and automated. Subsequently, the MCF were heat-treated at 75 °C to accelerate the reaction processes. The mechanical performance of MCF gradually increased in the advancement of the curing process from 2 to 8 h, which is attributed to the greater extent of geopolymerization. In such extended curing, thermogravimetric and microscopic analysis showed indeed a more “reacted” microstructure but also a higher content of voids. After heating for 8 h, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of MCF reached 2960 MPa and 259 GPa, respectively, when related to the yarn cross-sectional area.:Abstract Schlagwörter 1. Einleitung 2. Experimentelles Programm 2.1. Materialien 2.2. Herstellung von MCF 2.3. Testen der Geopolymermatrix 2.4. Mechanische Prüfung von MCF 2.5. Morphologische Charakterisierung 3. Ergebnisse und Diskussion 3.1. Charakterisierung der Geopolymermatrix 3.2. Hergestellte MCF mit Geopolymer und Wärmebehandlung bei 75 °C. 3.3. Chemische und morphologische Analyse 4. Schlussfolgerung Erklärung des konkurrierenden Interesses Literature

Electrical Joule Heating and Early Strength of Mineral-impregnated Carbon Fibre Reinforcement (MCF)

Mineral-impregnated carbon fibre reinforcement (MCF) has attracted increasing attention due to its low-cost, easy manufacturing, high temperature and chloride resistance, when it replaces traditional steel reinforcement for concrete construction. Considering its excellent electrical conductivity, this paper investigates the effect of electrical Joule heating on the temperature increase, mechanical and microstructural characteristics of MCF. Different duration of electrical heating ranging from 0.5h, 1h, 2h, 4h to 8h had been explored. In addition, the effect of water spray treatment on the electrically heated MCF will be conducted. For the MCF reference without electrical heating, it is not hardened and the early flexural strength can’t be obtained. The temperature of MCF under the voltage of 15 V gradually increases to 100.5 °C and then keeps stable. The highest early flexural strength of MCF immediately tested after heating reached 290.8 MPa when the electrical heating time is 8h, and with the water spray treatment. Interestingly, the water spray treatment seems to benefit the strength development, with the less generated micro pores around the interfaces of carbon fibres to cement matrix. The results indicate that the rapid hardening MCF subjected to electrical heating can work as self-heating elements or rapid production and transportation of MCF for concrete structures