Physical and mechanical properties of durable sisal fiber–cement composites

Sisal fiber–cement composites reinforced with long unidirectional aligned fibers were developed and their physical–mechanical behavior was characterized in the present study. Flat and corrugated sheets were cast by a manual lay-out of the fibers in a self-compacted cement matrix and compressed with a pressure of 3 MPa. Direct tensile and bending tests were performed to determine the first crack, post-peak strength and toughness of the composites. Drying shrinkage, capillary water absorption and water tightness tests were performed to characterize the physical properties of the composites. To ensure the composite durability, the ordinary Portland cement matrix was modified by adding metakaolin and calcined waste crushed clay brick to consume the calcium hydroxide generated during Portland cement hydration. The durability of the newly developed composite was determined through accelerated aging conditions using the hot-water immersion test. The developed material presented a multiple cracking behavior under bending, even when subjected to 6 months of hot-water immersion under 60 °C. Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to investigate the micro-structure of the composites before and after aging.