Autogenous Healing of Early-Age Cracks in Cementitious Materials by Superabsorbent Polymers

Abstract

The effect of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on autogenous crack healing in cementitious materials with early-age cracking was investigated. SAP-containing samples exposed to wet/dry cycles showed better autogenous healing than those only exposed to wet conditions, as determined by water flow and compressive strength recovery tests. The water flow rates through cracks (380 ± 40 µm) in cement paste and cement mortar containing 1.0% SAP decreased by around 97.1–100% and 79.7–90.7%, respectively, after 14 cycles of healing compared to 1 cycle. Although the initial compressive strength decreased with SAP addition, it recovered somewhat after a 28-d healing period. Microscopy and spectroscopy results identified CaCO3 and/or calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) as the main healing products.