Piezo-resistive Properties of Polymer based cement nano composites

Abstract

The nano technology has potential applications in development self-sensing smart materials. These nano materials is used in cement matrix or polymer base to improve the mechanical and piezo electrical properties of composites. In the present study, the graphene and carbon nano tube are added in matric, which acts as the conductive fibre into polymer cement composites. Cement based polymer composites are prepared by adding carbon fibre, epoxy resin, carbon nano tube and graphene as conductive filler in matrix to prepare the distinctive specimens for experimental investigations. The electro mechanical test are carried out to assess the piezo electrical properties of these composites subjected gradual increase of mechanical loading such as flexural and compression. The present study describes the self-sensing piezo-resistive capability of composite to monitor the strain in structures. The experimental test elucidates the addition of epoxy in cement matrix enhance the mechanical properties while carbon nano tube and graphene proves to be promising smart self-sensing materials in composites by measuring the variation in stress at critical regions. The SEM with EDX analysis shows that epoxy resin act as binding agent which hinder the cracks propagations and improves the mechanical properties of composites.