Cement mortar with enhanced flexural strength and durability-related properties using <i>in situ</i> polymerized interpenetration network

doi:10.1007/s11709-021-0721-0

Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

2021, Vol. 15

Issue (1) : 99-108 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-021-0721-0

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Cement mortar with enhanced flexural strength and durability-related properties using in situ polymerized interpenetration network

Qing LIU, Renjun LIU, Qiao WANG, Rui LIANG, Zongjin LI, Guoxing SUN(

)

Joint Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of Macao, Macao SAR 999078, China

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Abstract

The low flexural strength and high brittleness of cementitious materials impair their service life in building structures. In this study, we developed a new polymer-modified mortar by in situ polymerization of acrylamide (AM) monomers during the cement setting, which enhanced the flexural and durable performances of mortars. The mechanical properties, micro-and-pore structures, hydrated products, interactions between cement hydrates and polyacrylamide (PAM), and durability-related properties of the mortars were investigated comprehensively. Mortars with 5% PAM exhibited the best performance in terms of flexural strength among all the mixtures. The mechanical strength of cement pastes modified by in situ polymerization of AM monomers was significantly superior to those modified by PAM. The chemical interactions between the polymer molecules and cement hydrates together with the formation of polymer films glued the cement hydrates and polymers and resulted in an interpenetrating network structure, which strengthened the flexural strength. Reductions in porosity and calcium hydroxide content and improvement in capillary water absorption were achieved with the addition of PAM. Finally, the chloride resistance was significantly enhanced with the incorporation of PAM.

Keywords acrylamide in situ polymerization interaction porosity durability

Corresponding Author(s): Guoxing SUN

Just Accepted Date: 26 January 2021 Online First Date: 05 March 2021 Issue Date: 12 April 2021

Cite this article:

Qing LIU,Renjun LIU,Qiao WANG, et al. Cement mortar with enhanced flexural strength and durability-related properties using in situ polymerized interpenetration network[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2021, 15(1): 99-108.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/10.1007/s11709-021-0721-0
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/Y2021/V15/I1/99

Tab.1 Chemical composition of cement

Tab.2 Mix proportions

Fig.1 Schematic for calculation of chloride ion penetration depth. S is the area enclosed by the solid red line; d is the half width of the sample; h is the chloride penetration depth.

Fig.2 Mechanical properties of mortars. (a) Effect of PAM on compressive strength; (b) effect of PAM on flexural strength.

Fig.3 Mechanical properties of cement pastes (W/C = 0.4) modified by in situ polymerization of AM monomers and by PAM. (a) Compressive strength; (b) flexural strength. P03 and P06 denote cement paste with 0.3% and 0.6% PAM by in situ polymerization, respectively. PAM03 and PAM06 denote cement paste with 0.3% and 0.6% PAM, respectively.

Fig.4 SEM microstructure of mortars: (a) control mixture; (b) mortars with 5% PAM; (c) mortars with 5% PAM; (d) enlarged images of (a); (e) enlarged images of (b); (f) EDS of point in image (c).

Fig.5 FTIR spectra of 28 d hydrated cement and cement containing 1%, 3%, and 5% of PAM.

Fig.6 (a) TGA weight loss curves of samples at 28 d; (b) Enlarged image between 380°C and 450°C of (a).

Fig.7 XRD patterns for cement with 0, 1%, 3%, and 5% PAM at 28 d.

Fig.8 Pore size distribution of blank mortar and PAM-modified mortars: (a) cumulative pore volume against pore width; (b) BET surface area and pore volume against content of PAM.

Fig.9 Water absorption of mortars: (a) increase in water absorption against time; (b) capillary absorption coefficient against content of PAM.

Fig.10 Chloride penetration depth of mortars exposed to 3% sodium chloride solution.

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