Studying the Effect of Surface Treatment for Steel Fibers Using Natural Inhibitors on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar

Abstract

Cementitious composites with fiber reinforcement are preferable forms for sustaining flexural and
tensile load in building construction and are one type of composite in which interfacial adhesion
between a matrix and a fiber plays a crucial role. The interaction of a cementitious matrix and a
steel fiber at the interfacial still cannot be improved efficiently and cost-effectively, despite the
significance of the issue. In this study, the influence of steel fiber surface modification on the
strength of the bonding and mechanical characteristics of the mortar was investigated by soaking
the steel fibers in a pomegranate peel and methanol solution for a week before adding them to the
mortar at three varied volume percentages (0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75 %) of the total weight of the
mortar and comparing the results with the reference mixture. Compressive strength was
determined using compression molds with dimensions of 50 mm3, split tensile strength using test
molds with dimensions (50 100) mm, as well as flexural strength using test molds with dimensions
(40 40 160) mm at the ages of 3, 14, and 28 days. According to experimental findings, when steel
fibers are added in volume percentages 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 percent, increases the compressive,
split tensile, and also flexural strengths compared to regular mortar.