Compressive strength of gamma‐irradiated polymer concrete

Abstract

Polymer concrete (PC) was developed by using different concentrations of silica sand as aggregate and a commercial unsaturated preaccelerated (orthophtalic) polyester resin. The PC specimens were submitted to gamma radiation at several dosages: 5, 10, 50, 100, and 150 kGy. Mechanical performance was evaluated including the compressive strength, the compressive strain at yield point, and the compression modulus of elasticity. As expected, mechanical properties depend on both the resin concentration and the applied radiation dose. Improvement achieved in mechanical properties is related to the morphological characteristics observed by scanning electron microscopy.

Effects of polyester fibers and gamma irradiation on mechanical properties of polymer concrete containing CaCO3 and silica sand

“…We recall in this context also earlier results for the same polyester resin containing whether CaCO 3 or silica sand. The present results are lower than those reported for PCs containing only CaCO 3 (from 127 to 135 MPa) [21], but higher than those obtained using silica sand only (from 62 to 68 MPa) [22]. Thus, in irradi- Changes on surfaces of irradiated polyester fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).…”

“…The highest value is for PC with 5% of CaCO 3 and 75% of silica sand irradiated at 5 kGy. This means an improvement of 159% respect to standard value reported in the literature [22]. The addition of polyester fibers lowers E c dramatically (results not included here for brevity).…”

“…There is a large variety of behavior, no general pattern; the E c ranging from 8.6 to 17.4 GPa which are higher than values reported for polyester-based PCs (6.7 GPa) [22]. The highest value is for PC with 5% of CaCO 3 and 75% of silica sand irradiated at 5 kGy.…”

Unsaturated Polyesters and Vinyl Esters

“…43 SEM micrographs of the fracture zones of γ-irradiated (at 150 KGy, left) and non-irradiated (right) polymer concrete containing 38% UPR matrix after compressive test[159].…”

Gamma Radiation as a Novel Technology for Development of New Generation Concrete

“…Developments include the effects on the mechanical properties. Our developments regarding the influence of fiber reinforcements on polymer concrete and the different behaviors based on the components (polymer resin and mineral aggregates) [Martínez-Barrera et al, 2007;Martínez-Barrera et al, 2008a;BobadillaSánchez et al, 2009;Martínez-Barrera et al, 2009;Martínez-Barrera et al, 2008b;Martínez-Barrera et al, 2010].…”