Comparative evaluation of cement-matrix composites with distributed versus networked exfoliated graphite

Cement with distributed exfoliated graphite (isotropic) is made by incorporating exfoliated graphite in the wet cement mix; cement with networked exfoliated graphite (anisotropic) is made by compressing a dry mixture of exfoliated graphite and cement particles, followed by curing with water. The graphite layers in the latter are preferentially oriented in the plane perpendicular to the compression direction; the in-plane electrical resistivity is much lower than the out-of-plane resistivity and the loss tangent, storage modulus and loss modulus are much higher for out-of-plane flexure than in-plane flexure. The latter gives higher density, lower electrical resistivity, higher compressive strength and superior vibration damping than the former. Compared to plain cement, it gives higher density and higher compressive strength. In contrast, cement with distributed exfoliated graphite gives lower density and lower compressive strength than plain cement, though it gives lower resistivity and superior damping. Distributed exfoliated graphite is detrimental when silica fume is present. The high damping of cement with networked exfoliated graphite is attributed to the effective sandwiching of the network ligaments by the cement matrix (constrained-layer damping); the high density and compressive strength are attributed to the low porosity caused by the compression of the exfoliated graphite during composite fabrication.