Polymers have been used as additives in cement and concrete mortars since the 1920s, when natural rubber latex was added to road surfaces. Since then, polymer modification of cement and concrete has made significant advances.
Polymer modification of cement and concrete mortars significantly improves application and performance properties. These property improvements include easier handling, better finish, greater strength and traction, and longer service life. You can get the best pavement treatments via https://pavementsurfacecoatings.com/pavement-preservation-treatments/.
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Mechanism of action: – The properties of polymer-modified concrete basically depend on the type of polymer used and the ratio of polymer to cement, which is defined as the ratio of the mass of polymer solids to the amount of cement. The polymer to cement ratio can vary from 0 to 1/3 depending on the type of polymer used in the properties required for the application.
There are two theories as to why the properties of concrete increase with the addition of polymers. In the first theory there is no chemical interaction between polymer and cement. During cement hydration, the hydrophilic part of the polymer is directed to the water phase, while the hydrophobic part is directed to the air phase (pores and capillaries which are not filled with water). When drying, water is removed and hydrophobic particles fuse to form a film.
The second theory is that the polymer interacts with the components of the portland cement hydration product and forms a new complex. This creates a kind of reinforcement in the concrete and creates a semi-permeable membrane. Also, such reactions can increase the bond between the cement hydrate and the aggregate and increase the final properties of the modified cement.