Influence of Different Surfactants on Carbon Fiber Dispersion and the Mechanical Performance of Smart Piezoresistive Cementitious Composites

This experimental study presents the effect of different surfactants on micro-scale carbon fiber (CFs) distribution into reinforced cement-based composites (CFRC) in terms flexural and compressive strength, stiffness, toughness, strain-sensing ability. Conducting a narrative review literature focusing fibers’ separation, this paper follows methodology introducing combination mechanical chemical fibers dispersion, as well mixing processes (wet or dry). Three types surfactants: Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), nanocrystal (CNC), superplasticizer (SP), were applied to evaluate CFs cement paste matrix. Compressive modulus elasticity, ductility with 0.5 wt.% investigated by three-point bending tests; flexure tests also conducted notched 20 × 80 mm specimens using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (L.E.F.M.) theory. Moreover, electrical conductivity piezoresistive response determined conducting resistance measurements applying loading simultaneously. The results clearly reveal that CFs/SP solution CFs’ dry incorporation led significant enhancement strength 32% 23.7%, elasticity 30% 20%, stress-sensing ability 20.2% 18.2%, respectively. Although wet method exhibits improved performance, constituting an adequate strain crack sensor, authors propose most economical method, addition enhanced responses. recommend effective for structural health monitoring systems combining insertion cementitious smart sensors great self-sensing