Experimental analysis on tensile strengthening properties of steel and glass fiber reinforced inorganic matrix composites

The Fiber-Reinforced Inorganic Matrix (FRIM) composite is a new type of composite, which has many economical and performance advantages. Beside the direct shear and bending tests, the tensile tests form an integral part in determining the mechanical properties of these composites. In this paper, to understand the tensile behavior of the FRIM composites, some strip specimens of the composites were tested which were clamped at both ends, and the strains were measured using the extensometers installed at the middle of each strip. The inorganic matrix composites studied in this paper were constructed using two types of steel and glass fibers together with two different types of inorganic lime and geopolymer mortars. The results of direct tensile tests showed that the inorganic geopolymer mortars had the higher potential to increase the tensile load bearing of the specimens compared with the lime mortars. In addition, in most cases, the maximum values of stress, strain and the stiffness at the final stage of response in the tensile tests of composites were consistent with the results reported from the tensile test of textile fibers without the mortar. Moreover, clamping specimens by applying sufficient compressive force prevents slipping of fibers within the surrounding mortar.