Effects of Silica Nanoparticle Addition on Physical and Mechanical properties of Sugar Palm Fibers Reinforced Cement Composite Concrete

This study examines the effect of nanosilica addition to the physical and mechanical properties of sugar palm fibers (SPFs) reinforced cement composite concrete. The composite concrete ingredients are SPFs as the filler, cement and nano-silica as the matrix, CaCl2 as the catalyst, and water. Testing and fabrication of the composite concrete were performed according to the standard of ASTM C 1185 and ASTM C 1186. The results obtained show that, in general, the addition of nanosilica improves the quality of the composite concrete. A positive effect is attained by adding nanosilica to its optimum amount. The excessive addition of nanosilica reduces the quality of the composite. The composite's mechanical property that is negatively affected by the addition of the nanosilica is the elasticity, in which more nanosilica added stiffer the composite.