MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITES REINFORCEDWITH WOVEN FABRICS

The influence of woven fabrics on the bond between woven fabrics and c ement matrix was studied to understand the microscopical characteristi cs of these composites. For that purpose, pull-out tests were carried out, and scanning electron microscope observations were taken prior to and after the pull-out tests. The fabrics which were used in this stu dy were all plain weave with 22 yarns per centimetre in the pull-out d irection and with varied fill density in the perpendicular direction. It was found that the crimped yarns became straight after the pull-out of the matrix, and their surface exhibited abrasion-like damage. Grea ter surface damage was associated with greater pull-out resistance.