MAGNETIC ORIENTATION OF SISAL AND STEEL FIBERS IN CEMENTITIOUS MATRICES: EXPERIENCES OF SÃO JUDAS TADEU UNIVERSITY

Resumo

This work presents results of experimental investigations focused on the magnetic orientation of steel
and sisal fibers embedded in cementitious matrices. The work addresses the development of magnetic alignment
methodologies and their influence on the mechanical and electrical properties of the resulting cementitious
composites. In the first phase, the materials used in the research are presented, as well as two methods for
magnetic alignment of fibers: neodymium magnets coupled to a computer-controlled industrial robot and a
simplified magnetic circuit using a pair of coils wrapped in a ferromagnetic core. The second phase focuses on
the analysis of the electrical and mechanical properties of the composites and assessment of the fiber orientation
and positioning. X-ray computed tomography, electrical resistivity and bending tests were used in this phase.
The results showed that the projected magnetic systems were able to generate a preferential orientation of the
fibers, increasing the overall mechanical performance of the composites and generating anisotropy on their
electrical properties.