The effect of super absorbent polymers on the performance of immature cementitious mortars

Agnieszka J. Klemm, Paul Baker, Karol Sikora

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Construction industry like any other area of economic and social life undergoes continuous alterations and improvements in order to successfully comply with the requirements of sustainable development. Consumers demand more durable, less labour and service intensive materials at a competitive price. To meet these expectations numerous new composite materials have been developed over the last couple of decades, including cementitious materials modified by superabsorbent polymers (SAP).

The paper presents part of the larger research project on the performance of cementitious mortars containing two types of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) as the internal curing agent.SAP A is a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylic acid and SAP B is a polymer based on acrylic acid.

Research work presented in this paper involves macro and micro scale characterisation of polymer modified mortars. The microstructural features were studied with application of the Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry and the Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques. Analyses of pore size distribution in mortars of different ages are accompanied by the analyses of strength and autogenous shrinkage development as well as early density changes in immature mortars by the X-ray absorption method.

The investigations confirmed the positive effect of SAP A on the reduction of autogenous shrinkage and microcrack propagation. Limited absorption/desorption abilities of SAP B cannot reassure continuous supply of water and hence the performance of SAP B mortars was comparable with the reference samples. The effect of both SAPs on strength development proved to be negligible.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBrittle Matrix Composites 10
EditorsA. M. Brandt, M.A. Glinicki, J. Olek, C.K.Y. Leund
PublisherWoodhead Publishing Limited
Pages21-31
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)97808570099891
ISBN (Print)9780857099884
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Event10th International Symposium on Brittle Matrix Composites - Warsaw, Poland
Duration: 15 Oct 201217 Oct 2012
https://www.rilem.net/agenda/bmc-10-10th-international-symposium-on-brittle-matrix-composites-457?BO_lang=uk (Link to conference website)

Conference

Conference10th International Symposium on Brittle Matrix Composites
Abbreviated titleBMC-10
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityWarsaw
Period15/10/1217/10/12
Internet address

Keywords

  • superabsorbent polymers
  • cementitious composite
  • immature mortars

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