About this Abstract |
Meeting |
MS&T21: Materials Science & Technology
|
Symposium
|
Engineering Ceramics: Microstructure-Property-Performance Relations and Applications
|
Presentation Title |
Relationship between the Microstructure and the Mechanical Properties of the MWCNTs Reinforced Potassium-based Metakaolin Alkali Activated Materials |
Author(s) |
Jiaxin Chen, Ange-Therese Akono |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Jiaxin Chen |
Abstract Scope |
This research studies the relation between the microstructure and the mechanical properties of high concentration levels of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on potassium-based metakaolin geopolymers including 0.3wt%, 0.6wt%, and 1.5wt% MWCNTs per mass of metakaolin. We investigated the rheology in the fresh state. The chemistry of MWCNTs geopolymers was assessed using XRD and statistical FTIR. We assessed the mechanical response using scratch tests and micro indentation tests. We investigated the microstructure using SEM. We observed an increase in Si-OH bonds, indicating that MWCNTs promote the hydroxylation of Si atoms. An inner strengthening effect was observed as MWCNTs reduced the microporosity, resulting in an increase in the indentation modulus and hardness for the dominant microphase. The microstructure results showed that MWCNTs acted as bridges for fracture surfaces and connections for pores. Thus, MWCNTs promote the geopolymerization reaction, strengthen the geopolymer skeleton, affect the pore structure, and improve mechanical characteristics. |