Effect of acrylic latex on the properties of cement grouts

Abstract

The main objective of this comprehensive laboratory project was to investigate the potential use of acrylic latex to improve the physical and mechanical properties of thick superplasticised cement grouts. Experiments were conducted using different acrylic latex dosages with cement grouts that were prepared with water to cement ratios of 0·5, 0·4 and 0·33. The results indicated that the addition of acrylic latex of up to 5% significantly increases the 28 and 90 d strength, despite an extension of the setting time. The bleeding and resistance to acid attack of acrylic latex modified grouts were significantly improved. Grouts containing acrylic latex had much a higher viscosity and yield stress than the un-modified grouts. However, acrylic latex reduces the viscosity and yield stress of grouts that were prepared with water to cement ratios of 0·5 and 0·4 when added in small amounts. Based on the experimental results, nonlinear regression analysis was performed to correlate the physical and mechanical parameters of the acrylic latex modified grouts and the descriptor variables.

Study on High Performance Polymer-Modified Cement Grouts

“…The rheological behaviour of all the unmodified or acrylic resin-modified grouts (AMGs) was strongly shear thickening, and their apparent viscosity appeared to be enhanced with the increase in the applied pressure, as shown by the flow curves, irrespective of the AR content and the w/c ratio. This is consistent with the results reported in previous studies [35,[41][42][43]. As indicated by the experimental results, the addition of AR to some extent modifies the rheological properties of all grouts, which appeared to be slightly more or less viscous in comparison to the unmodified grouts.…”

“…Bleeding was more pronounced in the case of ER and for the thinner grouts. These results contradict previous research findings [43,61], which concluded that, generally, the volume loss of the modified system is reduced after the addition of polymers. Obviously, the addition of high dosages of polymer (especially ER) and PCE superplasticiser increases the dispersion ability, so the cement mixture entraps less water and, consequently, results in the reduction of the final volume [63].…”

“…This investigation's mechanical experiments demonstrated that AMGs could be utilised in such applications. Our results showed that, over time, the strength of modified grouts tends to increase, which leads to substantially elevated strength values compared to those of unmodified grouts, particularly following 30 and 90 days of curing [43]. AR dosages ranging from 0.25 to 0.75%, at all w/c ratios, displayed the highest 30-and 90-day strength values.…”