Possibility of cement composite reinforcement by Spanish broom fibres

Abstract

A considerable attention is currently paid worldwide to the use of cellulose fibres in composite materials. Attempts are made to find even better, environmentally more acceptable, less expensive, renewable and, if possible, locally available replacement for traditional synthetic fibres. The quality of natural fibres is greatly dependent on their origin, processing requirement, composition, and physical properties. Results obtained by testing possibilities of using fibres of the wild plant called Spanish broom, collected locally for cement mortar reinforcement, are presented in the paper. The results show that the quality of Spanish broom fibres is not inferior to the quality of known hemp and flax fibres.