A New Method to Prepare Carbon Fiber/Carbon Black Reinforced Concrete and its Properties

Abstract

A new method is proposed to prepare carbon fiber reinforced concrete (CFRC) and carbon fiber (CF)/carbon black (CB) reinforced concrete in this paper. First, CF is dispersed in 0.4% carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC) water solution. Then, resolvable carbon fiber surfacing mat (RCFCM) is manufactured and cut into small patches. Finally, these patches are mixed with cement, sand, gravel, CB and water. During mixing, RCFCM patches are broken up once they meet with water. So, CF is dispersed into concrete. Results show that this method is feasible. CF/CB reinforced concrete possesses low resistivity (<100 Ω•cm), high compressive strength (≥35 MPa) and low contents of CF (0.3 Vol.%) and CB (0.6 Vol.%), so it can be used as a kind of conductive concrete for melting snow and deicing applications on highways. Both the mixing time and the curing period can affect the electrical and mechanical properties of CF/CB reinforced concrete.