Polymer-Modified Calcium-Aluminate Macro Defect Free (MDF) Cements

Abstract

Cementitious Macro Defect Free (MDF) materials can be obtained in complex forms with high performance making these materials suitable for applications in many sectors. The low water to cement ratio, w/c, and the saturation of voids by means of water soluble polymers allows increasing the cement strength. However, in their standard form these materials show both the sensitivity typical of water-soluble polymers, presenting a low glass transition temperature (Tg), and the brittle behavior typical of ceramic materials and therefore low toughness. The aim of this work is to modify with various techniques the standard formulation of MDF materials by modulating toughness from a brittle to a ductile behavior. In addition, the effect of the recipes modifications will be analyzed by comparing the rheological characteristics along the processing stages.