Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T16:53:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-02-11Bitstream added on 2015-05-14T16:58:57Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000825412.pdf: 26718696 bytes, checksum: b6b3b9b1c7422cd74687af551ba4e14d (MD5) / Os materiais compósitos em fibra de carbono são largamente empregados no setor de transporte aéreo e vem crescendo em outros setores. Esses materiais, porém ainda apresentam susceptibilidade à delaminação, devido à baixa resistência a carregamentos fora do plano, tornando-se força motriz para a redução da vida em fadiga de compósitos laminados. Devido à importância desse tipo de dano, esta pesquisa visa entender os mecanismos que geram delaminações em compósitos tramados (biaxiais), utilizando-se o conceito energético de Griffith da mecânica da fratura linear elástica, como parâmetro de controle da delaminação. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é entender a interação dos modos de propagação I e II, bem como as frações de cada modo na delaminação em fadiga axial tração-tração (denominado modo misto), em corpos de prova planos. Para isso, foram estudados os modos puros I (DCB) e II (ENF) de propagação de trinca nos compósitos processados, além de se comparar a região que delimita a propagação estável com o modo misto, o qual exigiu estudos de uma geometria apropriada para a obtenção de delaminação bem definida. Para a decomposição dos modos que agem na fadiga axial, foram aplicados critérios de falha nos dados experimentais. O ensaio de fadiga, para todos os modos de propagação, foi conduzido à razão de carga de 0,1, frequência de 5 Hz e os dados de taxa de propagação versus energia de deformação foram ajustados por uma lei empírica, previamente estudada e comparada com os mecanismos de delaminação por análise fractográfica. Os resultados mostraram que a força motriz para delaminação possui maior influência da tenacidade à fratura (GIc) e do carregamento máximo (Gmax), os quais foram adaptados na lei de Paris para delaminação estável. Para o modo misto, constatou-se que a geometri ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Carbon fiber composite materials are currently widely employed in air transportation as structural components in Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has around 80% (v/v) in composite. However these materials are susceptible to delamination due to low strength in through-the-thickness direction which is the driving force to reduce the fatigue life. Considering the importance of delamination, the aim of this research is to have a clear understanding of this type of damage in woven composites by using the Griffith energy approach of the linear elastic fracture mechanics as a delamination parameter. The aim of this work was to achieve insight into the interaction process of crack propagation modes I and II, and mainly to determine the mode fractions in the delamination process of tension-tension axial fatigue tests. For the mode decomposition process from axial fatigue tests, it was employed two failure criteria. In order to obtain it, the crack growth rate associated with pure modes I and II delamination were compared with the behavior of a specimen subjected to in-plane tension-tension cyclic loading that exhibits a mixed delamination mode for which needed an appropriate specimen geometry to generate a sharp delamination front. Fatigue test in all modes of propagation were conducted with a loading ratio of 0,1 and a frequency of 5 Hz. The crack growth rate versus energy release rate was described by an appropriate empirical power law which fits the experimental results and compared with delamination mechanisms observed by fractography. The results showed that the driving force for fatigue has major influence of GIc and Gmax based on the studied fractures, where both were considered in the Paris law. For the mixed mode, the geometry known as CLS had regions of crack propagation rate comparable to pure delamination modes in the stable propagation region which ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T16:53:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-02-25Bitstream added on 2015-05-14T16:58:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000825396.pdf: 18579983 bytes, checksum: b592bc65fe954c0a216a07f77c7563db (MD5) / A produção de nanobiocompósitos tem crescido nos últimos anos considerando a necessidade no desenvolvimento de materiais que visam substituir aqueles produzidos com matéria-prima oriunda do petróleo e que demoram muito tempo para se degradarem, prejudicando o meio ambiente. Dentro deste contexto, foram confeccionados nanobiocompósitos de PHBV/nanocristais de celulose (NCC) por casting e eletrofiação. O desenvolvimento do trabalho consistiu inicialmente na determinação da melhor sequência de tratamentos químicos para a obtenção da celulose a partir do capim-sapê, e as condições determinadas foram: tratamento alcalino com solução de NaOH 5% (m/m), a 75°C, seguido por três etapas de branqueamento com H2O2/NaOH. Em seguida, foi realizado um planejamento de experimentos (PE) com o qual foi possível determinar as melhores condições de hidrólise ácida para a obtenção dos NCC, que foram: H2SO4 60% (m/m), a 60°C por 30 min (NCC4) e H2SO4 64% (m/m), a 35°C por 75 min (NCC9). Posteriormente, outro PE foi realizado para determinar os parâmetros mais adequados para a solubilidade e processamento do PHBV, e os resultados obtidos levaram à escolha dos seguintes parâmetros: solução de PHBV com 5% (m/m) de polímero em solventes dimetilformamida e clorofórmio (razão 22/78) solubilizados a 50°C por 30h, casting a 153°C e eletrofiação com agulha 20x10, rotação do tambor de 27 rpm, distância de trabalho de 10 cm, com condições ambientais próximas a 25°C e 50% de umidade. Por fim, foram confecionados os nanocompósitos PHBV/NCC4 e PHBV/NCC9, com a adição de 1% (m/m) de reforço, pelos processos de casting e eletrofiação, seguindo as condições de solubilidade e processamento estabelecidas no PE. A adição dos NCC nos nanocompósitos obtidos por casting não alterou a transparência dos filmes e proporcionou uma redução ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / The production of nanobiocomposites has grown in recent years considering the need to develop materials to replace those produced using raw materials derived from petroleum and that take a long time to degrade, damaging the environment. However, nanobiocomposites of PHBV/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), were obtained by solvent casting and electrospinning. First of all, was determined the best sequence of chemical treatments to obtain cellulose from brazilian satintail, and the conditions were: alkali treatment with NaOH solution (5% w/w) at 75°C , followed by three stages of bleaching with H2O2/NaOH. Then, following a design of experiments (DOE) it was possible to determine the best conditions of acid hydrolysis to obtain the CNC: H2SO4 60% (w/w) at 60°C for 30 min (CNC4) and H2SO4 64% (w/w) at 35°C for 75 min (CNC9). Afterwards, other DOE was conducted to determine the most appropriate PHBV solubility and processing parameters, and the results obtained led to the choice of the following parameters: PHBV solution containing 5% (w/w) of polymer in solvent dimethylformamide and chloroform (ratio 22/78), solubilized at 50°C for 30h; casting at 153°C, and electrospinning with needle (20x10), drum rotation of 27 rpm, working distance of 10 cm and environmental conditions close to 25°C and 50% of moisture. Finally, the nanocomposites PHBV/NCC4 and PHBV/NCC9 were obtained with the addition of 1% (w/w) of reinforcement by casting and electrospinning process, following the solubility and processing conditions determined at DOE. The addition of CNC in the nanocomposites obtained by solvent casting did not change the transparency of the films and provided a significant decrease in the polymer crystallization temperature, mainly with the addition of CNC4, whereas for electrospun nanocomposites, provided a considerable improvement in process efficiency, by ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T11:52:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-09-26Bitstream added on 2015-03-03T12:07:24Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000807349.pdf: 2893031 bytes, checksum: 19ac3e09418e213fd7b1c6b48b8d8231 (MD5) / O consumo de eletricidade tem aumentado de forma significativa nas últimas décadas. Isso, aliado com a dificuldade em construir novas linhas de transmissão, principalmente devido aos requisitos ambientais estabelecidos pelo Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA), trouxe um grande desafio no atendimento da crescente demanda por eletricidade. Os cabos condutores de alumínio com alma de compósito (ACCC) foram designados para ter alta resistência à tração, baixo coeficiente de expansão térmica e baixa flecha entre as torres. No entanto, o uso desses novos materiais pode criar uma série de problemas com relação à sua aplicabilidade que precisa ser avaliada. Os polímeros estão sujeitos à degradação por exposição a altas temperaturas, umidade e radiação ultravioleta, entre outros. Dentre os polímeros termorrígidos atualmente disponíveis, a resina fenol formaldeído é uma das mais comuns no mercado, com excelente desempenho em altas temperaturas, resistência à chama e isolação mecânica. Dessa forma, o uso de compósitos de resina fenol formaldeído reforçados com fibras de carbono podem ser excelentes substitutos para os aços tradicionais que vêm sendo atualmente utilizados como núcleos de cabos de transmissão, reduzindo a flecha entre as torres e melhorando a eficiência de transmissão de energia elétrica. Nesse contexto, este trabalho avaliou a aplicabilidade do sistema pultrudado de resina fenol formaldeído reforçada com fibras de carbono em núcleo de cabos condutores em linhas de transmissão. Os resultados mostraram que a temperatura de início de decomposição é de 363 °C e a temperatura de transição vítrea é de 165 °C. Esses limites de temperatura são suficientes para aplicação do compósito como núcleo de cabos de transmissão, dada a demanda ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Consumption of electricity has been increasing significantly in the last decades and the difficulty in building new transmission lines brought a great challenge to supply electricity, mainly due the environmental requirements established by the Brazilian Institute of Natural and renewable resources (IBAMA) and the raising in demand for electricity. The Aluminum Conductor Composite Core cables (ACCC) have been developed due to their high tensile strength, low thermal expansion coefficient and low sag between the transmission towers. Nevertheless, the use of new materials in transmission lines may bring a series of problems in relation to its employment, which needs to be assessed. The use transmission cables with composite core may promotes degradation of polymeric matrix due high temperatures expositions, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, and so forth. The phenol-formaldehyde resin presents excellent performance in high temperatures, flame resistance and mechanical isolation. Composites with carbon fiber and phenol-formaldehyde matrix might be excellent replacements to the traditional steel applied in conductor cables cores. This study evaluated the suitability of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer with phenol-formaldehyde matrix to transmission lines. The results showed that thermal decomposition of material initiates in 363 ºC and the glass transition temperature is 165 ºC, which is sufficient to be applied in transmission cables with nowadays demand. The mechanical results were favorable: all samples showed higher ultimate strength superior to the specified to ASCR transmission cables. The specific modulus of is 26.3 m2/s2 for steel and 102.3 m2/s2 for the pultruded system, which indicates a significant advantage in replacement of the traditional steel for the pultruded system, although it is necessary to apply a coating in the composite to avoid decomposition and galvanic corrosion

La recherche de nouveaux matériaux absorbant les ondes électromagnétiques dans le domaine des hyperfréquences est devenue un enjeu majeur avec le développement croissant des moyens de communication et, corrélativement, le besoin de se prémunir efficacement contre la « pollution » électromagnétique (protection des équipements et des personnes). Dans ce manuscrit, nous nous intéressons à un matériau composite anisotrope constitué d'une matrice polymère chargée en particules ferromagnétiques aplaties appelées pétales. Ce type de composite suscite actuellement un intérêt grandissant dans la communauté grâce aux nombreux avantages qu'il présente (ajustement de la bande d'absorption en fonction de la nature et du rapport de forme des charges, faible épaisseur du revêtement). Le champ de cette étude s'est voulu relativement large afin d'avoir une vue d'ensemble des problématiques liées à ces composites à base de pétales et cela à plusieurs échelles. Dans un premier temps, une étude originale a été menée sur le pétale seul. Après des travaux préliminaires portant sur l'élaboration des pétales et leurs propriétés morphologiques, des caractérisations magnétiques statiques et dynamiques ont été réalisées sur un pétale unique. Le spectre de perméabilité obtenu met en évidence trois résonances. Une étude complémentaire menée sur des objets de mêmes dimensions élaborés par PVD et structurés par FIB a permis, par analogie, d'attribuer ces trois résonances respectivement aux domaines, aux parois et au vortex joignant les parois. Dans un second temps, une étude approfondie a été menée sur le composite complet. L'adaptation de la technique de perméamétrie par perturbation de spire a rendu possible la caractérisation fine et complète de matériaux composites épais avec ou sans champ magnétique statique appliqué et pour différentes directions de pompage. Celle-ci a permis de confirmer l'origine des différentes résonances malgré le désordre structurel caractéristique des milieux composites. Pour finir, une étude à vocation plus applicative a été réalisée établissant le lien fort entre la microstructure (porosité, orientation et taille des particules) et les propriétés électromagnétiques du composite. Le potentiel industriel, tant d'un point de vue de l'élaboration que des performances, a pu être démontré. / Research on new microwave absorbing materials has become a major issue with the growing development of wireless communications and, accordingly, the need to shield effectively from the electromagnetic "pollution" (protection of equipment and persons).In this manuscript, we focus on an anisotropic composite consisting of aligned ferromagnetic flakes embedded in a nonmagnetic matrix. There is currently a growing interest for this kind of composite in the community due to the many benefits it provides (adjustment of the absorption band as a function of both nature and flakes aspect ratio, thin composite coating). The scope of this study was deliberately relatively large in order to get an overview of issues related to these flakes composites at several scales. At first, an original study was conducted on a single flake. After preliminary work on the development of flakes and their morphological properties, static and dynamic magnetic characterizations were performed on a single flake. The permeability spectrum obtained shows three resonances. A complementary study on objects of the same size, produced by PVD and structured by FIB has, by analogy, attributed these three resonances to respectively, domains, domains wall and an embedded vortex (vortex linked with several domains walls).In a second step, the evolution of the shorted microstrip permeametry technique made possible the detailed and complete characterization of thick composites with or without a static magnetic field applied in different directions and for various pumping directions. This confirmed the origin of the different resonances despite the characteristic structural disorder of composite media.Finally, an applicative study was conducted establishing the strong link between the microstructure (porosity, particle size and orientation) and the electromagnetic properties of the composite. Taking into consideration both elaboration and performance point of views, the industrial potential of this composite has been demonstrated.

Inspiré par la technique couche par couche traditionnelle (LBL), Ce travail de thèse démontre le premier effort pour développer une nouvelle méthodologie pour l’auto-assemblage des multicouches sur la base des interactions hydrophobes et d'adsorption physique pour fabriquer des films composites stratifié en Polyéthylène (LLDPE) - organoargile (OMMT). Contrairement à la technique LbL électrostatique, ici, les films multicouches ont été synthétisés en partant d'un substrat de polymère non polaire/non chargé et successivement le dépôt de couches d’organo-argile apolaire et de couches de PE non polaires/non chargés avec des dépôts répétitifs qui se suivent. La variation alternative de l'angle de contact (85° en moyenne pour l’organo-argile et 107° pour les couches de PE) a confirmé la profilométrie et les résultats de la microscopie électronique à balayage, ainsi que le modèle de croissance linéaire, la formation très stratifiée réussie de bicouches répétitives composées de 450 nm couches d’organo-argiles et 2,25 µm couches de PE. Ultérieurs essais de caractérisation ont été effectués pour évaluer l'effet de la variation des principaux paramètres de processus identifiés (concentration, température, les étapes de rinçage et de séchage, et le type de solvant), sur la formation et la croissance d'épaisseur des films. En conséquence, la forte dépendance de l'auto-assemblage aux paramètres du procédé testés a été montrée par les résultats expérimentaux obtenus. Les propriétés de barrière des films multicouches ont également été évaluées par la caractérisation de la perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau, à l'oxygène (O2) et au dioxyde de carbone (CO2), ainsi que la sorption de la vapeur d'eau. Un revêtement de 5 bicouches (OMMT/PE) (~ 14 µm d'épaisseur) a réduit la perméabilité à l'O2 d'un film de PE de 160 µm d'épaisseur de 84,4% et la perméabilité au CO2 de 70%, tandis que la perméabilité a la vapeur d’eau a été réduite de 45%. Ces réductions de perméabilité obtenues par seulement l’ajout de 2,4% (v/v) de nano-argile se sont révélés être significativement plus élevée par rapport aux valeurs de réduction rapportées dans la littérature pour les nanocomposites dispersés préparés à base de PE/organo-argile. Cette connaissance peut être utilisée dans la mise en place d'une approche pour produire des micro/nanostructures stratifiés ayant des propriétés de barrière sur mesure pour l'application dans l'emballage alimentaire. / Inspired by the traditional Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembly technique, this PhD study demonstrates the first effort to develop a novel methodology for multilayer self-assembly on the basis of hydrophobic interactions and further physical adsorption to fabricate stratified Polyethylene(LLDPE)-organoclay(OMMT) nano-enabled composite film. In contrary to the electrostatic LbL technique, here, the multilayer films were synthesized by starting from an uncharged apolar polymer substrate and successively depositing apolar organoclay and uncharged apolar PE layers with subsequent repeating depositions. The alternate variation of contact angle (85° average for organoclay and 107° for PE layers) confirmed the profilometry and the scanning electron microscopy results as well as the linear growth pattern, i.e. the successful highly stratified assembly of repetitive bilayers comprised of 450 nm organoclays and 2.25 µm PE layers. Further characterization tests were performed to evaluate the effect of the main identified process parameters (concentration, temperature, rinsing and drying steps, and solvent type) variation on the formation and thickness growth of the films. As a consequence, the high dependence of the self-assembly’s growth to the tested process parameters was showed by the obtained experimental results. The barrier properties of the multilayer films were also evaluated by characterizing the Water vapour, Oxygen (O2), and Carbon dioxide (CO2) permeability as well as the water vapour sorption. A 5-bilayer (OMMT/PE) coating (∼14 µm thick) reduced the O2 permeability of a 160 µm-thick PE film by 84.4% and the CO2 permeability by 70%, while the WVP was reduced by 45%. These permeability reductions obtained by only 2.4 v/v % of nanoclay addition level were found to be significantly greater compared to the reduction values reported in the literature for prepared blend PE/organoclay nanocomposites. This knowledge can be used in the establishment of an approach to produce stratified micro/nanostructures with tailored barrier properties for food packaging application.

Orientador: Maria Odila Hilário Cioffi / Coorientador: Marcos Yutaka Shiino / Banca: Herman Jacobus Cornelis Voorwald / Banca: Rita de Cássia Mendonça Sales Contini / Resumo: O aumento do uso de compósitos estruturais tem levado a uma preocupação constante com a confiabilidade destes materiais. Em particular, o processo de cura das resinas na fabricação é citado como um dos problemas mais significativos no processamento de compósitos estruturais. Assim, para que essa classe de materiais possa ser economicamente viável e atender às exigências dos padrões de qualidade do setor aeronáutico, tecnologias de processamento automatizado e novas formas de matéria-prima estão sendo desenvolvidas e implantadas na fabricação. Desta forma, o objetivo da presente pesquisa foi estudar a influência das propriedades térmicas dos materiais de moldes, utilizados no processamento de compósitos via RTM, nas propriedades finais dos laminados. Foram processadas três placas de compósitos com reforço não dobrável (NCF-non-crimp fabric) biaxial [+45°/-45°] via RTM: em molde de aço 1020, laminado 1; e em liga de alumínio 5052-F, laminados 2 e 3. Para verificar a influência dos materiais dos moldes nas propriedades finais, foram analisadas a tenacidade à fratura interlaminar em modo I e investigação das superfícies de fratura pelo Microscópio Eletronico de Varredura (MEV). O comportamento térmico estudado via análise térmica dinâmico-mecânica (DMA), que avaliou as diferenças no grau de cura dos laminados 1, 2 e 3 com a análise da Tg. Nos processamentos, evidenciou-se que o molde de alumínio apresentou maior controle e estabilidade térmica, enquanto que o molde de aço aprese... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The increase use of structural composites has led to a constant concern on the reliability of these materials. In particular, curing process of resins during manufacturing are cited as one of the most significant problems in the structural composites. Therefore, in order to this class of materials can be economically viable and meet the requirements of quality in the aeronautic industry standards, automated processing technologies and new materials have been developed and implemented in manufacturing sector. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the influence of thermal properties of the mold, which was used in the processing of composites via RTM, on the final properties of the laminates. Three composite plates comprised with NCF (non-crimp fabric) reinforcement, which has biaxial [+45°/-45°] configuration, and epoxy matrix. Two molds were employed for this investigation: steel 1020, for laminate 1, and aluminum alloy 5052-F, for laminates 2 and 3, all laminates with the same fiber stacking sequence. The influence of the materials of the molds in the final properties were verified with interlaminar fracture toughness in mode I (GIc), and their images of the fractured surfaces investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The thermal analysis conducted with Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMA), which evaluated the differences in the degree of cure of laminate 1, 2 and 3 by vitreous temperature transitions (Tg). It was evidenced that the aluminium mold showed bet... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

[pt] A presente tese estuda as propriedades de curta e londa duração de argamassas de cimento reforçadas com fibras de coco e sisal. O trabalho experimental visou a determinação das propriedades físicas e mecânicas do reforço e o estudo da influência do tipo, fração volumétrica e tamanho de fibra, orientação e composição da matriz nas propriedades mecânicas do compósito. Estudos foram executados com o objetivo de se determinar a influência do reforço na retração plástica, com e sem restrições, das matrizes de argamassa. Fissurações resultantes da imposição das restrições e o fenômeno de cicatrização das fissuras foram também investigados. O modo de ruptura e as propriedades de aderência interfacial fibra-matriz foram determinados através de ensaios de arrancamento. As propriedades de longa duração dos compósitos foram determinadas através dos ensaios de fluência, retração e durabilidade. A influência da adição de várias frações volumétricas e tamanhos de fibras na fluência das matrizes de argamassa foi determinada usando-se corpos de prova, selados e não selados, submetidos a uma pressão de 14,4 MPa durante um período de 210-350 dias. Recuperações das deformações elásticas foram monitoradas por um período de 56-180 dias. A influência dos tipos de fibra, fração volumétrica, tamanho de fibra, tipo de cura, traço da argamassa e substituição parcial do cimento Portland por micro-sílica e escória de alto forno na estabilidade dimensional das matrizes de argamassa foi determinada com o uso de ensaios de retração por um período de 320 dias. A durabilidade das fibras de coco e sisal, imersas em soluções alcalinas de hidróxido de cálcio e de sódio e em água de torneira, foi determinada através da realização de ensaios de resistência à tração em idades variando de 30-420 dias. A durabilidade das argamassas reforçadas com fibras naturais após 320-360 dias imersas em água, expostas a ciclos de molhagem e secagem bem como ao ambiente natural foi determinada através de resultados de ensaios de flexão e de observações de imagens obtidas com o uso de microscopia eletrônica. Um mapeamento de elementos químicos foi realizado com o objetivo de se verificar possíveis migrações de produtos da matriz de cimento Portland para o lúmen e paredes das fibras. Tratamentos para garantir a durabilidade dos compósitos foram estudados, a saber: (a) modificações na matriz através da substituição parcial do cimento Portland por micro-sílica e escória de alto orno; (b) carbonatação da matriz de cimento Portland; (c) imersão das fibras em micro-sílica líquida antes de serem incorporadas à matriz de cimento Portand. / [en] This thesis studies both the short-term and long- term behaviour of sisal and coconut fibre reinforced mortar composites.The experimental work involved extensive laboratory testing to determine the physical and mechanical properties of the fibre reinforcement and to study the influence of fibre type, volume fraction, fibre length, fibre arrangement and matrix composition on the mechanical properties of the composite.Studies were also made to determine the influence of fibre reinforcement in controlling free and restrained shrinkage during the early age of mortar mixes. Cracking due to restraint and the phenomenon of crack self-healing were also investigated. The mode of failure and the properties of the resistance to fibre-matrix interfacial bonding were determined using the single fibre pull-out test.The long-term properties of the sisal and coconut fibre reinforced-mortar composites were assessed throughout creep, shrinkage and durability tests. The influence of the addition of sisal and coconut fibres, of various volume fraction and lengths, on the creep of a mortar matrix was determined using sealed and unsealed specimens subjected to a pressure of 14.4 MPa over a period of 210-350 days. Recovery strains were recorded for a period of 56-180 days.The influence of fibre types, volume fraction, fibre lengths, cure types, mix proportions and replacement of OPC by slag and silica fume on the dimensional stability of mortar matrices was determined using drying shrinkage tests for a period of 320 days. The durability of sisal and coconut fibres exposed to alkaline solutions of calcium and sodium hydroxide and stored in tap water was measured as strength loss over a period of 420 days. The durability of fibre-reinforced mortars after 320 to 360 days, stored under water, exposed to cycles of wetting and drying as well as to the natural weather,was assessed from results of flexural tests and from observations of the photomicrographs obtained using backscattered imaging and secondary electron imaging. Dotting maps of chemical elements were obtained in order to verify possible migration of cement products from the matrix to the lumen and voids within of the fibres. Treatments to enhance the durability performance of the composites were studied,including: (a) modifications to the matrix through the replacement of Portland cement by undensified silica fume and by blast-furnace slag; (b) carbonation of the cementitious matrix and (c) immersion of the fibres in slurry silica fume prior to being incorporated into the Portland cement matrix.

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