Properties of Fiber Cement Reinforced With Cellulose Pulp Modified by Plasma Treatment With Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)

Abstract

Abstract Cellulose pulp in cementitious matrix has been investigated due to its high tensile strength, which improves the mechanical properties of the composites. However, its high hydrophilicity is harmful to this kind of materials and may result in a reduction in the material's durability. In this work, to improve the matrix/reinforcement interaction in fiber cement, the surface of the cellulose pulp was modified by means of plasma treatment with sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Fiber cement composite was produced from treated pulps. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy as well as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the cellulose pulp. Theoretical calculations were developed to simulate the interaction of treated pulp and cementitious matrix and suggested the interaction of hydrogen between the molecules. There was a reduction in moisture absorption in the cellulose pulp. Cement-cellulose compatibility was adequate. The best results were obtained for the treatment with 0.10 Torr SF6.