Polymer concrete types

The general tendency in the given area of a science are questions of compatibility of antioxidizers with polymers, their influence on coloring of materials, shock durability and adaptability to manufacture, and also development of target additives for concrete types of... 

Polymer concrete (PC) is a composite material in which aggregates are bonded together with resins in a polymer matrix. Performance of PC is strongly dependent on various types and the mixed proportions of aggregates and resins [5],... 

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 polymer concretes are distinguished by the nature of the binder e.g., furan, polyester, epoxy, phenol formaldehyde, carbamide, and so on. The classification of the main types of polymer concrete according to the kind of synthetic resins involved is shown in Figure 1.2 [7],... 

Polymer concretes based on carbamide resins have a low toxicity and are favorable in manufacturing. However, the content of the polymer matrix in these PCs is high (up to 30%) and their physical and mechanical properties are low in comparison to other types of polymer concretes. 

The most effective scopes of polymer concrete application, depending on the type of polymeric binder, are shown in Table 1.6. 

Polymer concrete based on two kinds of liquid rubbers was investigated type A, low molecular polybutadiene (Butarez , Liten [1,4-cis 25%-39% 1,4-trans 35%-40%, 1,2-vinyl 28%-35%]) and type B, stereoregular low molecular rubber (Polyoil 110/130 , Ricon (1,4-cis 70%-80% 1,4-trans 20%-30%, 1,2-vinyl l%-2%). The main physical-mechanical properties are shown in Table 2.5. 

FIGURE 2.45 Structural diagram of RubCon samples at compression (1) samples type A, (2) samples type B. (Reprinted from Yu. Potapov, O. Figovsky, Yu. Borisov, S. Pinaev, and D. Beilin, Creep of Polymer Concrete at Compressive Loading, J. Scientific Israel Technological Advantages 5, nos. 1-2 (2003) 1-10. With permission.)... 

FIGURE 3.11 Strain curves of the SPC samples for different types of monomer additives. (1) Without additives, (2) with tetraetoxysilan (TEOS), (3) with furfuryl alcohol (FA), (4) with tetrafurfuryloxisilane (TFS). (Reprinted from O. Figovsky, D. Beilin, and Yu. Zemlyanushnov, Fracture and Crack Resistance of Silicate Polymer Concrete, Journal Scientific Israel Technology Advanced 14, no. 4 (2012) 38-48. With Permission.)... 

The mechanical properties, the corrosion stability, and some useful properties are the reasons for the continuous interest shown in polymer-concrete composites by various design, research, and production organizations. The most important types of polymer-concrete composites are polymer-impregnated concrete (PIC), polymer-cement concrete (PCC), and polymer concrete (PC). 

PIC is a precast and cured portland cement concrete that has been impregnated with a monomer that is subsequently polymerized in situ. This type of cement composite is the most developed of polymer-concrete products. PCC, on the other hand, is a modified concrete in which a part (10%-15% by weight) of the cement binder is replaced by a synthetic organic polymer. It is produced by incorporating a monomer, prepolymer-monomer mixture, or a dispersed polymer (latex) into a cement-concrete mix. To effect the polymerization of the monomer or prepolymer-monomer, a catalyst (initiator) is added to the mixture. The process technology used is very similar to that of conventional concrete. So, unlike PIC which has to be used as a precast structure, PCC can be cast-in-place in field applications. PC can be described as a composite that contains polymer as a binder instead of the conventional portland cement. 

Few types of composites such as laminates and polymer concretes in which the non-polymer component predominates the polymeric one are not included in the following collections of data. This is partly also due to that interfacial fracture mechanics approaches being often used to analyse the crack propagation performance of such composites adequately are not subject of this chapter. 

Figure 11.10. Stress-strain curves for concrete and concrete-polymer (CP-type concrete, cylinders 3 in. in diameter and 6 in. high). The upper (solid) curve is for CP concrete (PMMA, loading 5.4 wt %, = 5.5 X 10 psi) and the lower (solid) curve is for plain concrete (unloaded, E = 1.8 x 10 psi by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation method, = 1.3 x 10 psi by secant method). The upper ends of the curves correspond to fracture. (Auskern and Horn, 1971.)...

The method of producing precast polymer concrete is similar to that of precast Portland cement concrete. The extremely short hardening period of polymer concrete is an obvious advantage over Portland cement concrete. Form removal may be as short as 40 seconds, depending on the type of monomer used [11]. The formwork, vibrators and mixers used in producing polymer concrete precast elements are no different to those used for Portland cement concrete precast elements. Flowever, it should be noted that the formwork should be durable, smooth surfaced and must be able to withstand the heat developed during the exothermic polymerisation process. 

Large particle reinforced composite systems are utilised with all three types of materials (metals, ceramics and polymers). Concrete is a common large particle strengthened composite where both matrix and particulate phases are ceramic materials. 

Other types of polymer concretes, that is, PC (polymer concrete) and PCC (polymer cement concrete), also give various possibilities for adjusting mechanical properties to the required ones. 

The same basic epoxy resin systems are used as monolithic surfacings and epoxy polymer concrete. In addition to these, epoxy phenol novolac is also used to produce mortars and grouts. This is a higher viscosity resin that requires the inclusion of various types of diluents and resin blends. Table 10.3 lists the atmospheric corrosion resistance of the mortars and grouts. 

The same polyester resins are used to formulate mortars and grouts as are used to formulate monolithic surfacings and polymer concretes. Carbon and silica fillers are used in the formulations. Polyester resins have a shelf life limitation and should be stored below 60 F (15°C). Any of the polyester-type resins provide suitable resistance to normal atmospheric corrosion (see Table 10.3). 

Traditional ceramics also include the concretes, which are composites consisting of rock, gravel, and sand, bonded together with some type of cement. Typical materials used are Portland cement or one of several polymers. Portland cement concrete and polymer concretes have been discussed in the previous chapter. 

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