ABSTRACT
A new type of continuous carbon fibre reinforced cement composite (CFRC) with high strength, durability and high fire resistance was developed by using PAN-type carbon fibre and cement as matrix. This new material is fabricated by similar technologies used in resin-based composites such as prepregging lay-up, filament winding and pultrusion. By using cement as matrix, one of the characteristics of the CFRC is its high fire resistance, compared with ordinary resin-based composites. On the other hand, it was very difficult to increase the fibre content in the cement matrix, because the mean diameter of ordinary cement (20–30/μm) is too large compared with that of carbon fibre (7 μm). This problem was solved by using fine cement and high water reducing admixture.
This paper presents the characteristics of this new material, such as fire resistance, flexural strength, frost resistance and shape stability. The development of the cross-ply laminated panel made with CFRC and its application to the external wall of the actual building are also described.
