Excellent durability of epoxy modified mortars in corrosive environments

Abstract

Abstract The resistance of three different types of masonry mortar, namely Portland cement mortar (CM), epoxy resin-based polymer CM (PCM) and polymer mortar (PM) to corrosive aqueous media have been presented in this study. Assessment was carried out on the basis of relative loss in mass and compressive strength of the mortar specimens after immersion in different corrosive solutions such as 10 vol% sulphuric acid, 10 vol% sodium hydroxide solutions and 10 wt% brine for various periods. CM specimens were found to be vulnerable in brine, acidic and alkaline mediums, while the mortar modified with epoxy resin showed excellent resistance to the above mentioned mediums. By contrast, PM evidenced appreciable stability even after immersion for a longer period in the same environment. Experimental results suggest that the epoxy-based masonry mortars can be used as a promising external rendering material to build infrastructures.