Composites/Materials selection and Analysis.

(Workshop, week 15) 11th may, 2020

Solved by Andrea Vera, Manuel Jiménez; Codes: 0000160340, 0000059677

INTRODUCTION TO CASE

Stainless steel it’s a promissory reinforcement in refractory concretes due to its high durability against corrosive
environments and loss of basic pH in concrete matrix. This advantage is combined with the thermal compatibility matrix-
filler, and flame resistance of silica cement for structures in metallurgical and petrochemical industries, thermal plants
and blast furnaces. These combination of performances increase the refractory life and is cost-effective as long life and
strength at elevated temperatures and corrosive environments. The addition of stainless steel reinforcement it’s
preferable in fibres-shaped particles. This kind of composite increase the operating time by reducing the duration of
maintenance stops inside the industrial units 1.

These fibres are extensively utilized in the following applications: tank lining, steel ladle, piping, burner block, blast
furnace and other components exposed to elevated temperatures and possibly corrosion. Typical properties are listed in
table 1.

Table 1. Typical physical and mechanical properties of stainless steel fibre

(retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950061819333343)

Another study (Pat. L. Mangonon, “Ciencia de Materiales: Selección y Diseño, 2008, Pearson Ed. Pp 766-768, pdf
scanned file available temporally at: https://doku.pub/documents/1-ciencia-de-materiales-seleccion-y-diseo-pat-l-
mangononpdf-4lo9dpgdxwlx) analyse the behaviour of concrete reinforced with stainless Steel bars against other kind of
Steel reinforcement and found some cost for maintenance and pieces reposition along life time service. Next figure
summarizes the more relevant issues when comparing different steel as concrete reinforcement and chloride ions
present in the mixture.

Figure 1.

1
Bareiro, W. G., de Andrade Silva, F., & Sotelino, E. D. (2020). Thermo-mechanical behavior of stainless steel fiber reinforced refractory concrete:
Experimental and numerical analysis. Construction and Building Materials, 240, 117881. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117881
Going back to the first case, the thermal performance of stainless steel fibres reinforced concrete is described in
the following figures. Below this ones, the captions (a), (b), and (c), where (a) is for straight fibres, (b) is for wavy
fibres, and (c) for knurled fibres, respectively, at 3 different testing temperatures 25°C, 600°C, 100°C under
flexural/bending tensile test.
WORKSHOP/ACTIVITIES.

1. Hypothesize about the effect on the fibre surface/shape in the compatibility reinforcement/matrix in this
ceramic composite/metal reinforced. Use less than 100 words.

Answer: With the help of the graphics, we think that the surface of this reinforcement will have some pitting,
which will be difficult to distinguish defects or imperfections. By increasing the fibres to strengthen the surface,
we can see that their mechanical properties will improve, and this is because stainless steel improves durability
at high temperatures, which improves its elastic zone and ductility with reinforcement.

2. Make Calvin understand the performance and properties of concrete/SS316 composite in the context provided
(thermal, corrosive, tensile assays). Susi is the one chosen for develop the explanation in simple but technic and
comprehensive phrases. Please use the concept developed in previous class session.

The current materials

But there are
Really! I Really! I'm looking at that
So if I make a basement support
are regular, do not resist support with any material it resists
fibers compounds think it’s in Nanomaterials and see
high temperatures great forces and corrosion?
that improve the impossible how you can improve a
and break easily. mechanical material
that Nobody
properties of will breake
happens
materials it!

Hi Susi!, my company allow to Of course, I Well as you know it

recommend is important that it Sure, you trust me, I am
use composites, please help me the best in the
galvanized stainless resist corrosion,
to decide between stainless steel, because the because it is close Nanomaterials class, and I
type 405 and stainless AR fibres of this to the coast am very clear on this topic
Are you
galvanized to do a tank support compound adhere
sure Susie?
very well, which
basement near the coast.
makes the tank
harder and resists
corrosion quite
well. I recommend
you with an
addition of .096%
Cl, as it has small
bites but they can
be identified.
3. From composites seminars… (and possibly the textbook shared with you las session as extras points comments
activity) Please make a concept map that shows clearly the next topics/questions: What is a composite
material?, Which structural properties achieve a composite?, Types of fillers and matrices in composites and,
importance of fibre orientation in composites. Please use cmaptools for drawing your map.

4. Figure in right side depict Aluminium (ref. Al7075) and Al/Zr-Glass fibre reinforced (in a15% fibres composite)
(source:
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep24384).
Please redraw the tensile test for stainless steel
described in table 1, hypothesising about
elongation at fracture. Then analyse the set
contrasting the paths.

 Stainless steel (blue line) is stronger than

aluminium composite.
 The yielding point is lower than the
aluminium.
 The toughness is smaller than the others
composites.