20.500.12556/DiRROS-29401 Alkali-activated fly ash composites with canine-fibre reinforcement preliminary results The study investigates alkali-activated fly ash (FA) composites reinforced with keratin-based fibres from Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. To increase reactivity, the FA was milled and sieved below 125 μm, while the fibres were incorporated at two mass ratios (1 m% and 5 m%) relative to the FA as part of the preliminary study. Mechanical tests on 3-day-old composites showed that the addition of 1 m% fibres improved performance significantly, increasing the compressive strength by almost 50% (to ~70 MPa) and bending strength by over 30%. In contrast, the addition of 5 m% fibres resulted in a “hairy”, low-binder structure with reduced geometric density and compressive strength. Nevertheless, the fibre- rich composite displayed a unique cushioning effect that restored shape under cyclic pressure, suggesting potential for non-structural applications such as pathways or insulation. The results demonstrated that small additions of keratin fibres can improve the performance of AAM, but excessive fibre content compromises its strength. alkali-activated materials fly ash keratin-based fibres Chesapeake Bay Retriever circular economy alkalijsko aktivirani materiali elektrofiltrski pepel keratinska vlakna Chesapeake bay prinašalec krožno gospodarstvo true false true University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press, University of Maribor, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik © authors of proceedings and Potrč, Bogataj, Kravanja, Novak Pintarič (editors) Neznano 2026-05-15 13:02:34 2026-05-15 13:04:52 2026-05-16 03:49:12 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 Str. 1-11 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2026-04-21 620.1/.2 10.18690/um.fkkt.1.2026.1 276533763 272982019 https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/en/catalog/book/1108/chapter/1125 1 9986abc8-504d-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=44067 RAZ_Horvat_Barbara_2026.pdf RAZ_Horvat_Barbara_2026.pdf 1 0755CE32D4EF2FFB10C4B3EA86E6835F 69e52c672b6e1596ea48677b2bec4ff3fa0476f8d3e86f84233c1003c7a835cf dd39474c-504d-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=44068 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17184936 0 ec4abb9e-5050-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=44075 Zavod za gradbeništvo Slovenije 0 0 0