Evaluation of the mechanical properties, durability and drying shrinkage of the mortar reinforced with polyacrylonitrile microfibers

•Additions of PAN microfibers to mortar increase compressive and flexural strength.•Additions of PAN microfibers enhance some durability properties of mortar.•Addition of PAN microfibers to mortar significantly reduce drying shrinkage. In this study, the effect of the addition of polyacrylonitrile microfibers (PAN) on the mechanical properties, durability and drying shrinkage of mortar was investigated. PAN microfibers synthesized by the electrospinning technique were used; the average diameter and length of the microfibers was 1.01 µm and 10–25 µm, respectively. The results of the experimental study indicate that the addition of PAN microfibers enhanced the mechanical properties and some parameters related to durability, and drying shrinkage was considerably reduced. Therefore, reinforcing mortar with PAN microfibers is a viable option to improve the performance of this material and expand its application.