Mechanical properties of magnesium phosphate cement incorporating basalt fibers

In this experimental study, the effect of basalt fibers on the mechanical properties of magnesium phosphate cement [MPC] was investigated. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity, were introduced. It was observed that mechanical properties were significantly enhanced with the addition of silica fume, especially splitting tensile and flexural strength were enhanced with the increase of basalt fibers. However, for mixtures without silica fume addition, high content of fibers adversely affected the mechanical properties. Silica fume addition was found to be significant in increasing the bonding mechanism between basalt fibers and the MPC matrix. Thus, combined usage of silica fume and basalt fibers was found to be effective. A molar ratio of magnesia to ammonium dihydrogen phosphate of 8 was observed to have better results with respect to a molar ratio of 6, however, this distinction was not very apparent, when silica fume was added to both mixtures.