Study on the Compressive Properties of Magnesium Phosphate Cement Mixing with Eco-Friendly Coir Fiber Considering Fiber Length

Abstract

Coir fiber (CF), an eco-friendly and renewable natural fiber, was introduced into magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) mortar to improve its crack resistance. A total of 21 specimens were employed to investigate the failure pattern, compressive strength, stress–strain curve, and energy absorption of MPC with varying CF lengths (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mm) after a curing period of 28 days through a static compressive test. The results demonstrated that compressive strength, elastic modulus, and secant modulus decreased with the increase in CF length. However, energy absorption presented a convex curve, which increased to the maximum value (77.0% relative to the value of the specimen without CF) with a CF length of 20 mm and then declined. A series of modern micro-tests were then carried out to analyze the microstructure and composition of specimens to explain the properties microscopically.