LAUSR

Abstract Mineral-impregnated carbon fiber composites (MCF) constitute a new type of reinforcement for construction. While inheriting the advantages of existing carbon fiber reinforcements, which are composite materials made of carbon filaments embedded in a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix, MCF surpass the limitations of such polymer-impregnated types. More particularly, mineral impregnation considerably improves the performance of the reinforcement at elevated temperatures, enhances its bond to the concrete matrix, and increases technological flexibility, especially with respect to emerging automated production approaches. The article at hand presents the technology for continuous impregnation of carbon yarns with appropriately chosen fine mineral binder suspensions. Several examples for the automated manufacturing of reinforcement systems made of this new composite material are provided: one-dimensional elements such as bars and strips, two-dimensional reinforcements in the form of mats, and three-dimensional cases as examples of reinforcements for a balcony and shell elements. Furthermore, an outlook on introducing the novel reinforcement into highly automated, additive construction technologies is given.