Repurposing of blended fabric waste for sustainable cement-based composite: Mechanical and microstructural performance

Abstract

In this study, the strength properties, shrinkage and microstructures of mortar incorporating blended fabric fibres were characterised via X-ray micro CT and nanoindentation. Three different hybrid recycled fabric fibres, namely Kevlar/Nomex, Kevlar/Nylon and Nomex/Nylon fibres were investigated at three different blend ratios (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2). The fibre content was maintained at 0.3 % for all mixes. The findings indicated that the optimum blend ratio for hybrid fabric fibres is 1:1. At this optimum fibre blend ratio, an enhancement by 2.7 %, 4.8 % and 5.9 % in compressive strength, together with 9.8 %, 12 % and 13.4 % in flexural strength of mortar are recorded, corresponding to the incl..