Effects of pre-treatment of Curauá fibers on compatibility with portland cements

ABSTRACT There has been ever growing interest in the construction industry in using lighter, eco-friendly and sustainable materials, while maintainingthe desirable mechanical properties. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of pre-treatments on chemical compatibility between Curauá fiber (Ananas erectifolius) and Portland cement. In the inhibition test, cement hydration temperature evolution wasmeasured in the absence and presence of untreated and treated Curauá fibers (cold water, hot water and NaOH). The chemical characterization of untreated Curauá fibers was done by determining the content of extractives, lignin, holocellulose and ashes. Thee Segal's method was used for determinate the crystallinity index on untreated and treated fibers. The inhibition test graded the untreated fiber as high inhibition, showing the need to provide it a treatment. Treatments done on Curauá fibers removed some amorphous components of the fibers affected positively the compatibility between cement and fiber, and reducing the inhibition.