DEVELOPMENT OF CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITES WITH ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE CAPABILITY

Abstract

In daily life, electrostatic charges occur due to natural physical events and accumulate as static charges when people come into contact with objects and devices. If these charges cannot properly transfer from the floor to the ground, these can cause financial losses by damaging electronic devices and endanger life safety due to sparks. This problem is critical, especially in structures such as hospitals, the electronics industry, the petrochemical industry, production facilities, and military defense structures. The fact that 60% of the malfunctions in the electronics industry occur due to electrostatic discharge is of great importance in removing the static electric charge from the environment, especially on the floors of critical structures. In this context, the coating composite with superior performance, which meets the current requirements of the construction industry, is expected to be both economical and sustainable. This thesis study aims to (i) develop an early age high strength matrix mixture and (ii) obtain electrostatic discharge capability by incorporating single, double, and triple conductive materials into the developed cementitious composite. As a result of the thesis study, the main matrix was developed, the flow diameter of the mixture was measured as 41.5 cm, and the flow ii time was measured as 3.75 seconds. The matrix's two-hour compressive strength was determined to be 32.73 MPa, its one-day compressive strength to be 36.90 MPa, and its ninety-day compressive strength to be 86.10 MPa. The one-day electrical resistance value of the matrix mixture without conductor addition was 15.40 MΩ and showed insulating properties. Among conductor-based samples, the lowest electrical resistance value was measured from the B6(2) sample as 200.5Ω after 180 days. The dispersion of the conductors significantly affected the short- and long-term electrical conductivity performance. Carbon fiber was the most effective conductor in single, double, and triple conductor additions. The BAC1022 (1) sample best preserved the mechanical and electrical performance among the mixtures exposed to different environmental conditions and harmful solutions. The composite developed in this thesis study offers a cost-effective solution compared to currently used systems. Thanks to its high mechanical performance, it can be applied directly on the ground without disrupting production. Furthermore, its high mechanical performance under various harsh conditions ensures long-term maintenance of electrical conductivity. Comprising a single layer, it is suitable for field applications, presenting a significant opportunity. In this way, the electrostatic discharge problem likely to occur in critically essential structures can be prevented with cementitious-based composites, thus preventing loss of life and property.