The microstructure and ageing of cellulose fibre reinforced autoclaved cement composites

Abstract

The correlations between microstructural changes after ageing and the mechanical performance of autoclaved cellulose-cement composites were studied. The autoclaved composite did not undergo marked microstructural changes during ageing, and this can account for the relatively small changes in mechanical property development during exposure to natural weathering and accelerated ageing tests. In particular autoclaved cellulose cement products indicated significantly less ‘petrification’ of the cellulose fibres with age when compared with normal cured products of similar mix composition [1].