Effect of calcined nanoclay on the durability of NaOH treated hemp fabric-reinforced cement nanocomposites

Abstract

Cement nanocomposites reinforced with hemp fabrics and calcined nanoclay (CNC) have been fabricated and investigated. The treated hemp fabric-reinforced cement composites and nanocomposites were subjected to 3 wetting and drying cycles and then tested at 56 and 236. days. The influences of CNC dispersion on the durability of these composites have been characterized in terms of porosity, flexural strength, stress-midspan deflection curves and microstructural observation of hemp surface. The microstructure of matrix was investigated using X-ray Diffraction. Results indicated that the CNC effectively mitigated the degradation of hemp fibre. The durability and the degradation resistance of hemp fibre enhanced due to the addition of CNC into the cement matrix and the optimum content of CNC was 1. wt.%.