Effect of Coir Fiber Reinforcement on Properties of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Composite

Applied Sciences

Ibrahim Isah¹  Olugbenga Ayeni²  Assia Aboubakar Mahamat²  Azikiwe Peter Onwualu²  Numfor Linda Bih²  Tido Tiwa Stanislas²  Holmer Savastano Junior³  Emmanuel Boakye⁴ 

[1] Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810211, Nigeria;Department of Material Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja 900100, Nigeria;Research Nucleus on Materials for Biosystems, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil;UES Inc., Dayton, OH 45433, USA;

关键词: coir fiber;    metakaolin;    geopolymer composite;    compressive strength;    flexural strength;    ultrasonic pulse velocity;   

DOI  :  10.3390/app12115478

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This study explored the use of coir fibers extracted from coconut husks, an agro-waste material that constitutes sanitation and environmental pollution problems, as a reinforcing element in the production of metakaolin-based geopolymer composites with improved properties. A series of sample formulations were produced with varying coir fiber content (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 percent weight of metakaolin powder). The investigation was conducted using a 10 M NaOH alkaline solution with a 0.24 NaOH:Na₂SiO₃ mass ratio. Samples were cured for 28 days and tested for bulk density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and compressive and flexural strength. Microstructural examinations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also performed on samples. Compressive strength values up to 21.25 N/mm² at 0.5% fiber content and flexural strength values up to 10.39 N/mm² at 1% fiber content were achieved in this study. The results obtained showed a decreasing bulk density of geopolymer samples (2113 kg/m³ to 2045 kg/m³) with increasing coir fiber content. The geopolymer samples had UPV values varying from 2315 m/s to 2717 m/s. Coir fiber with 0.5–1.0% fiber content can be incorporated into metakaolin-based geopolymers to produce eco-friendly composite materials with improved mechanical properties for sustainable development.

【 授权许可】

Unknown