Abstract
High strength cement composites (W/C=0.1) were prepared by using various blending materials such as SiC whisker and white carbon (hydrated silica: SiO2·nH2O). The effect of various blending materials on the microstructure and strength of the hardened cement paste were investigated in the view of fracture mechanics. The plain specimen showed 101 MPa of flexural strength, 81 GPa of Young's modulus and 1.32 MPam1/2 of fracture toughness. When the blending materials were added to the composites, their values were enhanced to about 110∼138 MPa, 95∼146 GPa and 1.32∼1.87MPam1/2 respectively. The improvement of the mechanical strength for the hardened cement paste may be due to the removal of macropores, the reduction of total porosity, pozzolanic reaction and the increase of various fracture toughening effect.
