Properties of polymer modified mortars

Abstract

The using of epoxy resin as repair material in concrete is quite common. Previous research proof that epoxy resin in concrete can give strength and have high durability towards aggressive environment. Usually epoxy resin needs a hardener to make it hard when mix with concrete but in this research, the development of concrete by using epoxy resin without hardener is investigate. Epoxy resin without hardener or can be known as epoxy-modified mortar also can mix well with cement and harden the concrete. This is due to the present of hydroxide ion in cement hydrate that can react with epoxy resin and make it harden. This paper is present a strength properties of epoxy-modified mortar up to three months. In this research an epoxy resins (Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A) without any hardener is used as polymeric admixture to prepare polymeric-cementitious materials and their strength properties are analysed. Epoxy-modified mortars are prepared with various polymer-cement ratios, subjected to initial wet/dry curing plus long term dry. The optimum mix proportion of epoxy resin content in concrete is determined. The result shows that, the optimum polymer to cement ratio is 10% with dry/wet curing and up to three month of strength development, the compressive strength continuously increased.