Interface bonding properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber in alkali-activated slag/fly ash

Journal article (2023)

Authors

Shizhe Zhang Renewi Mineralz & Water, Materials and Environment - CEG
S. He Materials and Environment - CEG
Bahman Ghiassi University of Birmingham
K. van Breugel Materials and Environment - CEG
G. Ye Materials and Environment - CEG
Research Group
Materials and Environment (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 Shizhe Zhang, S. He, Bahman Ghiassi, K. van Breugel, G. Ye
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107308
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Materials- Mechanics- Management & Design

Research Group

Materials and Environment

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study on the interface bonding properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber in alkali-activated slag/fly ash (AASF) pastes. Three interface bonding properties (i.e., the chemical bonding energy Gd, the initial frictional bond strength τ0, and slip-hardening behavior) were determined using single-fiber pullout tests. The microstructure and chemical composition of the reaction products in the fiber/matrix interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and the nearby matrix were also characterized to reveal the influence of PVA fiber to its surrounding matrix. It is found that Gd increases primarily with increasing Ca/(Si+Al) ratio of C-(N-)A-S-H gel. Unlike that in cementitious materials, the inclusion of PVA fiber in AASF pastes promotes the formation of a high-Ca C-(N-)A-S-H phase rather than crystalline portlandite near the fiber surface. This study provides useful guidance for tailoring the interface bonding properties of AASF and also the development of high-performance composites such as strain-hardening geopolymer composites.