Abstract:
With the advancement in technology, construction industry also evolved new methods to
counter the problems related to fresh as well as hardened properties of cement composites.
This experimental study explores the feasibility of development of hybrid nano intruded
cement mortar system. The idea was to substitute high-cost Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with
low cost milled graphite powder without compromising its mechanical and electrical
properties. CNTs and graphite nano platelets (GNPs) in different ratios were dispersed by
ultra-sonication into aqueous solution and the effect of CNT/GNP ratios on the fresh and
hardened properties of cement mortar were investigated. Combination of CNTs and GNPs
in a ratio of 8:1 (C1G0.125) was observed to synergistically enhance the compressive
strength and flexural strength by 46.5% and 124.7% compared to control formulation with
acacia gum (CS-AG).Similarly 74.8% of early age shrinkage arrest and 11% better
resistance against external sulphate attack was observed. Furthermore decrease in 48.3%
of electrical resistivity was also recorded in case of C1G0.125. Study of external
morphology of hydrated products and their interaction with nanoparticles using Field
emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed crack bridging, crack divergence and
pull-out behaviour by nano particles.
Key Words: Hybrid Nano Intrusions, Carbon Nanotubes, Graphite Nano Platelets,
Cement Mortar, Mechanical Properties, Sulphate Attack, Electrical Resistivity
