Prepreg carbon sheets with cement polymer matrices in concrete rehabilitation

Fiber reinforced polymers have been successfully used in rehabilitation of existing concrete structures, but still few research have been undertaken to develop compatible, durable and cost-efficient technologies for structural protection of monumental buildings. A preliminary study on the feasibility of processing fiber reinforced cementitious matrix composites using prepreg technology is here presented. To this aim, an experimental program has been developed to define a new waterborne polymer-added inorganic matrix in order to cast pre-impregnated carbon fiber sheets. Several variables have been investigated preparing the pre-impregnation grouts used to wet the fibers, including different types of hydro-redispersible polymers, polymer/cement content ratios, and application procedures. The obtained impregnated textiles were applied on standard prismatic mortar specimens, using a cement-based grout by hand lay-up technique and subjected to three-point bending tests. Preliminary results, compared to the ones obtained using epoxy-based systems, exhibit good results in terms of applicability and mechanical properties.