Concrete polymer composites, preparation

The long range objectives of the joint program are the investigation and development of a concrete-polymer composite as a new construction material. The program includes the development of techniques for preparing concrete-polymer material, measurement of the physical and chemical properties, preparation of full-scale concrete products, and the conceptual design and evaluation of various specific applications. 

Polymer-modified or polymer cement mortar (PCM) and concrete (PCC) are a category of concrete-polymer composites which are made by partially replacing the cement hydrate binders of conventional cement mortar or concrete with polymers, i.e., polymeric admixtures or cement modifiers, thereby strengthening the binders with the polymers. Polymer-modified or polymer cement paste, which is prepared widiout any aggregate, is sometimes used. 

Polymer concrete, as highly filled polymer compositions, can be prepared on any synthetic binding. However, due to the requirements for density, strength, deform-ability, chemical resistance, and other characteristics, about 10 different types of monomers or oligomers are used in practice. In combination with modifying additives, they provide more than 30 varieties of polymer concrete. 

The use of polyester to modify concrete is projected to experience good future Industrial polymer-concrete flooring compositions, exhibiting high surface hardness, scratch resistance, and other qualities may also be prepared from polyesters... 

In other surfactant uses, dodecanol—tetradecanol is employed to prepare porous concrete (39), stearyl alcohol is used to make a polymer concrete (40), and lauryl alcohol is utilized for froth flotation of ores (41). A foamed composition of hexadecanol is used for textile printing (42) and a foamed composition of octadecanol is used for coating polymers (43). On the other hand, foam is controUed by detergent range alcohols in appHcations by lauryl alcohol in steel cleaning (44), by octadecanol in a detergent composition (45), and by eicosanol—docosanol in various systems (46). 

Schutt reported that the coke breeze specification and conditions in which the mix is prepared are important factors in determining the optimum operation of the conductive cement mix, whilst further details on the coke breeze asphalt mix composition are given by AndersonConductive concrete mixes, with a polymer binder have also been developed as an anode system specifically for reinforced concrete cathodic protection systems . 

Graft copolymers of starch with acrylonitrile and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, after saponification, were claimed to be good sorbents.3092 A composite of saponified acrylonitrile-starch-copolymer with vinyl formal polymers showed very good salt-rejection characteristics and served as membranes.3093 The same material prepared with poly(vinyl chloride) has been used in gaskets for concrete pipes.3057 Saponified acrylonitrile-starch graft copolymers blended with C12-C16 alcohols provided excellent water-retention characteristics.3094... 

Polymer concrete samples of four compositions (Table 1.2) measuring 4 x 4 x 16 cm are prepared. Control samples were placed in a desiccator containing moisture absorption silica gel composition. Other samples were in environments with various humidity. The influence of environmental humidity on the compressive strength, modulus elasticity, and moisture absorption of furfurol-acetone, epoxy, polyester, and rubber (RubCon) polymer concrete samples are shown in Tables 1.3-1.5 and Figures 1.4 and 1.5. 

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