The mechanical properties of flax and hemp fibres reinforced geopolymer composites

The article aim is to analyse the influence of addition of different kinds of flax and hemp fibres on the mechanical properties of the geopolymer composites. The paper describes the mechanical properties of fly-ash based geopolymer reinforced with short natural fibres made from the plants that have grown in Poland. The samples were prepared using sodium promoter and fibres (1% by mass of the composite). The empirical part of the research is based on the compressive strength tests, flexural strength tests and detailed microstructure examination. The research involved the samples reinforced by different kind of fibres - the flax and hemp fibres were prepared by different kind of treatment before addition to composites. The results show the influence of previous treatment of the fibres on the mechanical properties of the composites. (paper)