Resistance of Polymer Concretes

Nonreactivity or corrosion (chemical) resistance of polymer concretes to aggressive influences is one of the most important features of their physical and mechanical properties. It is defined as the ability of a material to resist corrosive environments and preserve the properties and forms. 

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. 

The experience of studying the corrosion resistance of some polymer concretes is summed up below. 

Furan polymer concrete is a corrosion-resistant polymer material. Endurance tests (a year or more) showed high resistance of this material to most industrial chemicals, except oxidants (nitric acid, acetic acid) and some solvents (acetone, benzene, alcohol). 

Polyester polymer concrete resists oxidizers, acids, oils, and petroleum products, but there is not enough resistance to alkaline solutions and water. The strength of polyester PC in water decreases faster than in solutions of inorganic salts and some acids therefore, resistance in acid solutions can simultaneously serve as an estimate of water resistance. For example, the flexural strength of the PC, immersed in a 10% solution of sulfuric acid or 10% sodium chloride solution is reduced by 30% after 80 days of immersion. 

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Moschansky N., and Paturoev V., Constructional and Chemical Resistance of Polymer Concretes, Moscow Stroyizdat, 1970 (in Russian). 

Potapov, Yu., Borisov, Yu., Chmyhov, V. D., and Beilin, D., Research of Polymer Concrete Based on Low Molecular Polybutadiene, Part VIII Chemical Resistance of Polymer Concrete, J. Scientific Israel Technological Advantages 4, no. 3-4 (2002) 25-31. 

FIGURE 2.57 Relationship between the RubCon coefficient of chemical resistance and time of corrosion medium exposition (1) water, (2) 30% solution of sulfuric acid, (3) 36% solution of hydrochloric acid, (4) 10% solution of caustic soda, (5) diesel fuel, (6) 5% solution of acetic acids. (Reprinted from Yu. Potapov, Yu. Borisov, V. Chmyhv, and D. Beilin, Research of Polymer Concrete Based on Low Molecular Polybutadiene, Part VIII Chemical Resistance of Polymer Concrete, J. Scientific Israel Technological Advantages 7, nos. 1-2 (2005) 72-78. With permission.)... 

Recent developments in this field seem to suggest that both epoxy or polyester resins are often times used for similar applications with no apparent difference in the performance of the materials. Ohama and co-workers (15) compared the resistance of polymer concretes to boiling water for periods of up to 12 months and found that epoxy resins were more resistant than orthopthalate based... 

Borislavskaya, 1. V., Corrosion resistance of polymer concrete, Proceedings of the ICP/ROLEM/IBK International Symposium, Prague, Czech Republic, 293, (23-25 June 1981). 

Table 10.2 Resistance of Polymer Concretes to Atmospheric Corrosion... 

Sadegzadeh, M. and Kettle, R. J., Abrasion resistance of polymer impregnated concrete. Concrete, 32-34, May (1987). 

Polymer concretes show excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance compared with conventional cement concretes. Polymer concretes can be cured quickly by the use of curing agents. Thus, the applications of polymer concretes are being increased. One of the popular polymers for polymer concretes is unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin. The properties of UPE resin can be modified by changing its molecular features. For the synthesis of the resin, phthalic anhydride or isophthalic acid as well as maleic anhydride can be employed to modify the mechanical properties or hydrothermal resistance. Terephthalic acid which is also used for the synthesis of poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) enhances the thermal resistance of the cured UPE resin. However, the synthesis of unsaturated polyester resin from terephthalic acid is difficult. One method to synthesize unsaturated polyester from terephthalic acid is the use of recycled PET. 

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. 

FIGURE 1.2 Classification of polymer concretes. (From V. Chmyhov, Resistance of Rubber Concrete to Action of Aggressive Environments, doctoral thesis, Voronezh, 2002 [in Russian].)... 

Due to the properties of polymer concrete, products made of this material are durable and strong and are characterized by higher mechanical resistance to loads than traditional concrete, which means that the cross-section area for comparable load classes is smaller in polymer concrete products—thus they are lighter than concrete products, which results in easier and quicker installation. 

FIGURE 1.5 Modulus of elasticity of polymer concretes in a water environment. (From Yu. Borisov, Yu. Potapov, O. Figovsky, and D. Beilin, Water Resistance of the Polymer Concretes, /. Scientific Israel AdvancedTechnology 14, no. 3 (2012) 84-91. With permission.)... 

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that the main advantage of polymer concretes is high chemical resistance characterized by long-term resistance to corrosive environments. Composition based on polymer binders are the most promising for use in these conditions. 

Potapov, Yu., Borisov, Yu., Surovtsev, I., Figovsky, O., and Beilin, D. Increasing Repair and Crack Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Structures by Polymer Composites, Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Concrete Repair, Concrete Solution, St. Malo, France, 2006, 111-114. 

Composition of Acid-Resistant Silicate Polymer Concretes... 

It is well known that polymer concrete (PC) is used in severe conditions in industrial and public buildings, as well as in transportation and hydraulic structures. The main advantages of polymer concrete over ordinary concrete are improved mechanical strength, low permeability, and improved chemical resistance. The main limitation is their relatively high material cost. For this reason, it is important to find the optimum technical-economic compromise. 

Ohama, Y., and Demura, K., Carbonation Resistance of Polymer-Modified Mortars, Transactions of the Japan Concrete Institute, 9 195-202(1987)... 

Y. Ohama, K. Demura, K. Kobayashi, Y. Satoh and M. Morikawa Pore size distribution and oxygen diffusion resistance of polymer-modified mortars. Cement and Concrete Research Vol.21, No.2-3 (1991), pp.309-315. 

Dimmig, A., and Kampfer, W. 2001. Investigations of the sulphate resistance of polymer-modified mortar (PCC). The Tenth International Congress on Polymers in Concrete and ICPIC/ICRlInternational Concrete Repair Workshop( Q0 ). 

Blontrock, H., F. Taerwe and S. Matthys (1999). Properties of fibre reinforced plastics at elevated temperatures with regard to fire resistance of reinforced concrete members. Fourth International Symposium on Fiber Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement for Concrete Structures, Farmington HUls, MI, pp. 43-54. 

The fracture energy can be utilised as a parameter to describe the fracture resistance of asphalt concrete, and the fracture energy parameter is particularly useful in the evaluation of mixtures with ductile binders, such as polymer-modified bitumen. It has been shown to discriminate between these materials more broadly than the indirect tensile strength parameter determined by AASHTO T 322 (2011) (Wagoner et al. 2006). 

Overlays polymer concrete overlays are used to get a durable, almost impervious and wear-resistant surfaces on Portland cement concretes. Suitable surface texture may be obtained for appropriate skid resistance and hydroplaning characteristics. The surfaces on which overlay will be applied must be prepared to ensure good adhesion. The surface must be strong, sound, dry and clean. The monomer and aggregate systems used for polymer concrete overlays are similar to those of polymer concrete repairing materials. 

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