Tensile and Fixed Elongation Properties of Polymer-Based Cement Flexible Composite under Water/Corrosive Solution Environment

Abstract

This study examined the tensile and fixed elongation properties of flexible composite made of styrene–acrylic, vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsion (VAE emulsion), and cement as cementitious material for airport pavement joint sealant. Quantitative analysis of the elastic recovery ratio and a series of specimen tensile indicators after water immersion, drying–wetting cycles, and corrosive solution (H2SO4, NaOH, and jet fuel) immersion were performed. Results showed excellent polymer-based cement flexible composite (PCFC) resistance against water and corrosive solution erosion, such as failure mode, elastic recovery, tensile strength, and energy absorption. When the level of water/corrosive solution erosion (immersion time, cycles) were increased, the tensile and fixed elongation properties progressively decreased. Specimens retained more than 60% elastic recovery ratio after water/corrosive solution erosion immersion for 30 days. According to erosion testing as per immersion time in corrosive solution, jet fuel had the maximum effect, NaOH solution had the least effect, and H2SO4 solution had an intermediary effect. At immersion time in the range of 1–30 days, the tensile strength does not change by more than 0.07 MPa. Within the limits of the fixed elongation tests, cohesive failure occurred after jet fuel immersion for 30 days, adhesive failure occurred after H2SO4 solution immersion for 30 days but was normal in other cases.