Physicochemical Behavior of Concretes Admixed with Water-Based Polymers (PMC: Polymer-Modified Concrete)

Abstract

Portland cement concrete remains the most important of the materials used due to its mechanical properties combined with its low cost and ease of obtaining. However, conventional concrete structure suffers aging with gradual increase in porosity. This implies limitations and leads to the development of modifications to improve its general characteristics, like the so-called concrete modified by polymers that resulted in improvements in mechanical and microstructural properties, in relation to the original concrete. Concrete (cement)-polymer composites are the materials, which are made by replacing a part or all the cement hydrate binders of conventional mortar or concrete with polymers and by strengthening the cement hydrate binder with polymers. The composites are generally classified into three types by the principles of their process technology: 1. Polymer-modified mortar and concrete; 2. Polymer mortar and concrete; and 3. Polymer impregnated mortar and concrete. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the addition of the acrylic additive in the hydration reaction, comparing the result between the cement paste samples with and without added polymer. Beyond mechanical tests, such as compression resistance and traction, various thermal analysis techniques were used. The results showed great modifications on hydration process and mechanical behavior of PMC.