Polymer concrete binder components

The action of an aggressive environment on polymer concretes depends on their permeability and subsequent dissolution and elution of the binder components by hydrolysis of molecular bonds and the weakening of the interaction between the polymer and filler. 

B) Polymer-cement concrete is a modified concrete in which a part of the cement binder is replaced by organic polymer. It is produced by incorporating a monomer, prepolymer, or dispersed polymer latex into a cement-concrete mixture. The process technology used is similar to that of conventional concrete and has the advantage that it can be cast in place for field applications. Most of the polymer-cement-concrete composites are based on different kinds of lattices obtained especially by emulsion polymerization. The lattices are aqueous emulsions containing polymer particles such as SBR, NBR, PVAc, copolyesters of AA-MAA, and PAA-PMAA-SBR. The compatibility of SBR, PVAc, and acrylic lattices with Portland cement produces particular characteristics that led to wide use of this component as polymer-concrete composites. 

The components of composite materials may be presented in a somewhat simplified way in three main groups binders, fillers and reinforcements. That classification is based on functions fulfilled by the components, but all three groups are not always represented by different materials. Sometimes the roles of particular components are more complicated for example, in polymer concretes the polymers play both roles of binder and reinforcement for the aggregate grain skeleton. 

With building components based on synthetic resin concrete (polymer concrete), the cement may be replaced partly or completely by organic binders, such as co- or terpolymeric vinyl acetates, acrylates or epoxy resins. Such systems are described as... 

Organic coatings are used to block the penetration of carbon dioxide or chloride ions. They form a continuous polymeric film on the surface of the concrete, of a thickness ranging from 100 to 300 pm. The binder can already be present in the liquid paint as a polymer, or the polymer can be formed due to chemical reactions between monomeric components that are mixed just before application. Modem coating systems are usually built up of several layers applied consecutively. They are compatible with the alkalinity of the concrete and are based on various types of polymers (e. g. acrylate, polyurethane, epoxy), pigments and additives, and are made suitable for application by the addition of solvents or diluents. 

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