Influence of Polymer Types on the Mechanical Properties of Polymer-Modified Cement Mortars

Abstract

This is an experimental study showing the effect of four types of polymers (acrylate polymer (AC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)) on the mechanical properties of polymer-modified cement mortars (PCMs). One polymer dosage was used in this study (3%), and the effect of this dosage on PCMs was compared with a control mortar mix with 0% polymer. The compressive, flexural, and pull-off bond strengths were measured and compared with previous results in works of literature. The effect of polymer addition on improving the mechanical properties of PCMs was clarified, and this effect was more obvious on the flexural strength than that on the compressive strength. The PCMs containing EVA showed the best performance, with up to 33% and 63% increases in compressive and flexural strengths after 28 days, respectively. In comparison, AC, PVA, and SBR produced smaller (16%–46% compared to control) improvements in the flexural strength after 28 days. In general, PCMs containing EVA showed the best mechanical properties.