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Alkali-activated fly ash composites with canine-fibre reinforcement : preliminary resultsBarbara Horvat,
Nadja Železnik,
Lara Petrič,
Sara Tominc, 2026, published scientific conference contribution
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: alkali-activated materials, fly ash, keratin-based fibres, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, circular economy
Published in DiRROS: 15.05.2026; Views: 449; Downloads: 331
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