Polymer concrete is a special building material that is used as a bonding element and also to replace lime cements. In some cases, the polymer is used as an addition to Portland cement. It is a versatile, durable composite material obtained by mixing various mineral fillers with synthetic or natural binders. This advanced technical material is used in many industries, but is most common in the construction industry.
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Three types of polymer concrete are used in construction. Next, we will take a closer look at their manufacturing technology, scope and compositions in order to have a general idea of \u200b\u200bpolymer concrete and their modifications.
Polymer compounds for concrete (polymer modified concrete)
This kind of concrete is made of Portland cement material withmodified polymer such as acrylic, polyvinyl acetate and ethylene vinyl acetate. It has good adhesion, high bending strength and low permeability.
Acrylic polymer modified concrete is color resistant, which is why it is in great demand among builders and architects. Its chemical modification is similar to the traditional cement variation. The amount of polymer is usually 10 to 20%. Concrete modified in this way has a lower degree of permeability and a higher density than pure cement. However, its structural integrity is highly dependent on the binder of Portland cement.
Concrete may take longer to degrade if it has a high density and less surface area. A relative improvement in the chemical resistance of a polymer-modified material to Portland cement is possible in an acidic environment.
Polymer-impregnated concrete
Polymer impregnation for concrete is usually done by incorporating a low density monomer into hydrated Portland cement followed by radiation or thermal catalytic polymerization. The modulus elasticity of this type of concrete is 50-100% higher than that of conventional concrete.
However, the polymer modulus is 10% greater than that of normal concrete. Thanks to these excellent characteristics, among the many applications of polymer building material, production can be separately noted:
- decks;
- of bridges;
- pipes;
- floor tiles;
- building laminate.
The implementation process technology involves drying the concrete to remove moisture from its surface, using monomers in a thin layer of sand, and then polymerizing the monomers using heat flow. Consequently, concrete surfaces have lower water permeability, absorption, abrasion resistance and generally high strength. Also, in order to increase wear resistance, resistance to cold and moisture, polymer varnishes are used for concrete, brick, stone, floors, etc.
Polymer concrete
Nothing to do with our usual Portland cement. It is formed by combining stones with a polymeric binder that does not contain water. Polystyrene, acrylic and epoxy resins are monomers that are widely used in the manufacture of this type of concrete. Sulfur is also considered as a polymer. Sulfur concrete is used for buildings requiring high acid resistance. Thermoplastic polymers, but most commonly thermoset resins, are used as the main polymer component due to their high thermal stability and resistance to a wide range of chemicals.
Polymer concrete is composed of aggregates that include silicon dioxide, quartz, granite, limestone and other high quality materials. The unit must be of good quality, free of dust, debris and excessive moisture. Failure to meet these criteria mayreduce the bond strength between polymer binder and aggregate.
Features of polymer concretes
Modern building material is different from its predecessors. It has the following characteristics:
- High resistance to chemical and biological media.
- Compared to cement-concrete products, it has a lower mass.
- Excellent at absorbing noise and vibrations.
- Good weatherability and UV resistance.
- Water absorption.
- Can be cut with drills and grinders.
- Can be recycled as crushed stone or crushed for use as a road base.
- About 4 times stronger than cement concrete.
- Good thermal insulation properties and stability.
- Ultra-smooth finish that promotes efficient hydraulic flow.
Use
Polymer concrete can be used for new construction or renovation of old material. Its adhesive properties make it possible to restore both polymeric and conventional cement-based concretes. Its low permeability and corrosion resistance make it suitable for use in swimming pools, sewer systems, drain channels, electrolytic cells and other structures containing liquids or harsh chemicals. It is suitable for well construction and rehabilitation due to its ability to resist toxic and corrosive sewer gases and bacteria commonly found in plumbing systems.
Unlike traditional concrete structures, it does not require coating or welding of PVC protected seams. You can see the use of polymer concrete on the streets of the city. It is used in the construction of road barriers, sidewalks, drainage ditches, fountains. Also on the street, a polymer coating for concrete is added to asph alt during the construction of open areas, runways and other objects that are in the open and are constantly exposed to external atmospheric influences.
Reviews
Polymer concrete has not been widely adopted due to the high costs and difficulties associated with traditional production techniques. However, recent progress has led to significant cost reductions, meaning that its use is gradually becoming more common. Despite all its advantages over conventional concrete, there are opinions about the hidden negative environmental factors that often occur due to improper production, the use of low-quality components and out of proportion.
Also, the technology for the production of polymer concrete has many nuances and secrets that no one wants to reveal. And of course, as noted by the reviews, the market price of polymer concrete is quite high. This is due to the difficulty of producing it and the expensive components used to create it.
