Study on the Tensile Properties and Influencing Factors of Superelastic SMAF-Reinforced PP/PVA-ECC Materials
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Mechanical Properties of Materials
2.1. Tensile Properties of SMAF
2.2. Tensile Properties of PP/PVA-ECC
2.2.1. Raw Materials
2.2.2. Specimen Design and Production
2.2.3. Loading Equipment and Measurement Method
2.2.4. Test Results and Analyses
3. Tensile Performance Test of SMAF-ECC
3.1. Experimental Design
3.1.1. Specimen Design and Production
3.1.2. Loading Equipment and Measurement Method
3.2. Results and Analysis
3.2.1. Experimental Phenomena
3.2.2. Stress–Strain Curve
- (1)
- SMAF-ECC specimens
- (2)
- Comparative analysis of specimens
3.2.3. Tensile Performance Index
3.2.4. Analysis of Influencing Factors
- (1)
- SMAF content
- (2)
- SMAF diameter
4. Conclusions
- (1)
- ECC was prepared by partially replacing PVA fibers with more economical PP fibers, and the resultant SMAF-ECC was fabricated by incorporating SMAF into the PP-modified ECC. This composite exhibits excellent tensile properties; specifically, the SMAF-ECC specimen with a 0.2 mm SMAF diameter and a 0.2 vol.% SMAF content attains the optimal tensile performance, with its ultimate tensile stress increased by 20.85% compared with SMAF-free ECC.
- (2)
- SMAF content and diameter exert a significant effect on the tensile properties of SMAF-ECC specimens. The optimal fiber diameter is dependent on its volume content: a smaller fiber diameter (0.2 mm) is optimal at a low volume content (0.2 vol.%); whereas a moderate diameter (0.5 mm) is more suitable at high volume contents (0.3 vol.% or 0.4 vol.%).
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Test Item | National Standard Value | Experimental Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 mm Diameter | 0.5 mm Diameter | 0.8 mm Diameter | ||
| Elastic modulus [GPa] | 29.2 | 28.7 | 25.4 | |
| Upper platform stress [MPa] | ≥400 | 483 | 486 | 480 |
| Tensile strength [MPa] | ≥1000 | 1457 | 1433 | 1425 |
| Elongation [%] | ≥10 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
| Residual deformation [%] | <0.5 | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.18 |
| Austenite phase transformation completion temperature [°C] | −20 ± 5 | −20 ± 5 | −20 ± 5 | |
| Fiber Type | Length [mm] | Diameter [mm] | Modulus of Elasticity [GPa] | Tensile Strength [MPa] | Density [g/cm3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP | 12 | 0.03 | 3.5 | 500 | 0.91 |
| PVA | 12 | 0.04 | 39.0 | 1600 | 1.30 |
| Specimen No. | Mass | φ[%]* | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement | Fly Ash | Quartz Sand | Water | Water Reducer | PP Fibers | PVA Fibers | |
| ECC-0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.11 | 0.008 | / | 2.0 |
| ECC-1 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.11 | 0.008 | 2.0 | / |
| ECC-2 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.11 | 0.008 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| ECC-3 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.11 | 0.008 | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Specimen No. | Initial Cracking Stress [MPa] | Initial Cracking Strain [%] | Ultimate Tensile Stress [MPa] | Ultimate Tensile Strain [%] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECC-0 | 2.63 | 0.44 | 4.50 | 5.12 |
| ECC-1 | 1.83 | 0.97 | 2.51 | 2.14 |
| ECC-2 | 3.03 | 1.60 | 3.95 | 2.39 |
| ECC-3 | 2.62 | 0.39 | 3.55 | 4.88 |
| Specimen No. | SMAF Diameter [mm] | φ(SMAF) [%] | Number of Specimens |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECC | / | 0 | 3 |
| S-0.2-0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 3 |
| S-0.2-0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 3 |
| S-0.2-0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 3 |
| S-0.5-0.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 3 |
| S-0.5-0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 3 |
| S-0.5-0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 3 |
| S-0.8-0.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 3 |
| S-0.8-0.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 3 |
| S-0.8-0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 3 |
| 0-S-0.2-0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 3 |
| Specimen No. | Initial Cracking Stress [MPa] | Initial Cracking Stain [%] | Ultimate Tensile Stress [MPa] | Ultimate Tensile Strain [%] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECC | 2.62 | 0.39 | 3.55 | 4.88 |
| S-0.2-0.2 | 3.06 | 0.44 | 4.29 | 5.02 |
| S-0.2-0.3 | 2.80 | 0.48 | 3.74 | 3.45 |
| S-0.2-0.4 | 3.04 | 0.45 | 3.77 | 3.39 |
| S-0.5-0.2 | 2.70 | 0.44 | 3.15 | 3.35 |
| S-0.5-0.3 | 2.69 | 0.37 | 3.66 | 3.93 |
| S-0.5-0.4 | 2.73 | 0.43 | 4.23 | 4.70 |
| S-0.8-0.2 | 2.66 | 0.46 | 3.30 | 3.72 |
| S-0.8-0.3 | 2.43 | 0.35 | 3.24 | 3.89 |
| S-0.8-0.4 | 2.41 | 0.53 | 3.14 | 3.43 |
| 0-S-0.2-0.2 | 3.19 | 0.33 | 5.24 | 5.93 |
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Cao, Y.; Qi, X.; Yang, Z. Study on the Tensile Properties and Influencing Factors of Superelastic SMAF-Reinforced PP/PVA-ECC Materials. Materials 2026, 19, 263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020263
Cao Y, Qi X, Yang Z. Study on the Tensile Properties and Influencing Factors of Superelastic SMAF-Reinforced PP/PVA-ECC Materials. Materials. 2026; 19(2):263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020263
Chicago/Turabian StyleCao, Yan, Xiaolong Qi, and Zhao Yang. 2026. "Study on the Tensile Properties and Influencing Factors of Superelastic SMAF-Reinforced PP/PVA-ECC Materials" Materials 19, no. 2: 263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020263
APA StyleCao, Y., Qi, X., & Yang, Z. (2026). Study on the Tensile Properties and Influencing Factors of Superelastic SMAF-Reinforced PP/PVA-ECC Materials. Materials, 19(2), 263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020263

