Experimental research on magnesium phosphate cement mortar reinforced by glass fiber

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the compressive strength, the flexural strength and the water resistance of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) mortar reinforced by glass fiber. Fiber volume fractions of 1.5%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5% and binder/aggregate ratios of 1:1, 1:1.2 and 1:1.5 were designed for the experiments. The microstructural, mechanical and water resistance properties of fiber-reinforced MPCs were evaluated with respects to the variance in the fiber volume fraction, the ratio of binder/aggregate. The results showed that the glass fibers have more pronounced effects on the flexural strength compared to compressive strength. The optimum volume fraction of glass fiber is reported at 2.5%. Furthermore, the effect of glass fiber on the water resistance of MPC is discussed, and a “reserving” method to resist the strength loss by water has been proposed. In addition, the paper provides a possible explanation of the fiber reinforcement mechanism which is in agreement with the experimental results.