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Title: Center for cement composite materials. Final report, 29 October 1986-30 November 1989

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6753068

The Center has produced very strong MDF cements and has made significant progress in enhancing the water resistance of the material. The important factors in controlling water sensitivity have now been identified and studies are in progress to quantify their influences. Cement hydration has been followed by a novel in-situ technique involving nuclear magnetic resonance. Fiber-matrix interactions in MDF laminates were also studied. Characterization of DSP pastes have shown that the matrix is microporous; mesopores are absent unless the material is allowed to dry out. This results in water adsorption at low relative humidities, which adversely impacts on electrical properties. DSP plates are a good insulating, low dielectric material as long as it is kept dry. Hydration under autoclaving conditions may be a way of solving the problem and hydration chemistry at various temperatures have been studied. The Center has also studied a magnesium triphosphate cement, as a precursor to polyphosphate cements and is exploring inorganic-polymer composites at the molecular levels. Finally the Center has investigated the influence of packing and particle interactions on the rheology of suspensions with high solids contents. The Center also established and maintains a facility for the characterization of powders and porous materials.

Research Organization:
Illinois Univ., Urbana, IL (USA). Dept. of Civil Engineering
OSTI ID:
6753068
Report Number(s):
AD-A-219838/0/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English