A Feasibility Study on Developing Snow Melting Systems using CNT-Cement Composite

PURPOSES : This study aims to review the possibility of developing a road snow-melting system that can prevent slip accidents by maintaining a constant temperature of the winter roads and enhance performance of structures, including improvement of compressive strength by mixing carbon nanotube (hereafter referred to as CNT) with cement paste, the basic material. METHODS : To achieve the above purpose, an experiment was conducted by mixing power-type CNT and wrap-type CNT up to cement paste formulation by weight of 0.0wt%~4.1wt% in accordance with "KS L ISO 679(of cement strength test method)", and compressive strength was measured at 28 days of curing. In addition, the volume resistivity of the specimen was measured to test thermal and electrical characteristics, and the rate of temperature changes in specimen surface by power consumption was measured by passing electricity through the cross-sections of the specimen. Meanwhile, the criteria for checking the performance as a road snow-melting system was determined as volume resistivity of $100{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ or less. RESULTS : A comparative analysis between specimen with 0wt% CNT content in plain status and specimen containing various types of CNTs was carried out. From its results, it was found that compressive strength increased approximately 19%, showing the highest rate when 0.2wt% of wrap-type CNT was contained, but volume resistivity of $100{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ or less appeared only in specimens containing more than 0.2wt% CNT. In addition, it was observed that the surface temperature increased by $4.62^{\circ}C$ per minute on average in specimens containing 3.2wt% CNT. CONCLUSIONS : In this study, CNT was examined as an underlying material for a road snow-melting system, and the possibility of developing the road now-melting system was reviewed by conducting various experiments using CNT-Cement composites. From the experimental results, the specimens were found to have a superior performance when compared to the existing road snow-melting systems that place the heat transfer medium such as copper on the road. However, satisfactory strength performance were not obtained from the specimen containing CNT(2.0% or more) that functions as a heating element, which leads to the need for reviewing methods to increase the strength by using plasticizer or admixture.

도로 융설체 개발을 위한 탄소나노튜브-시멘트 복합체 특성에 관한 실험적 연구