Performance of Epoxy Resin Polymer as Self-Healing Cementitious Materials Agent in Mortar

Abstract

This research investigated the application of epoxy resin polymer as a self-healing strategy for improving the mechanical and durability properties of cement-based mortar. The epoxy resin was added to the concrete mix at various levels (5, 10, 15, and 20% of cement weight), and the effectiveness of healing was evaluated by microstructural analysis, compressive strength, and non-destructive (ultrasonic pulse velocity) tests. Dry and wet-dry conditions were considered for curing, and for generating artificial cracks, specimens at different curing ages (1 and 6 months) were subjected to compressive testing (50 and 80% of specimen’s ultimate compressive strength). The results indicated that the mechanical properties in the specimen prepared by 10% epoxy resin and cured under wet-dry conditions was higher compared to other specimens. The degree of damage and healing efficiency index of this particular mix design were significantly affected by the healing duration and cracking age. An optimized artificial neural network (ANN) combined with a firefly algorithm was developed to estimate these indexes over the self-healing process. Overall, it was concluded that the epoxy resin polymer has high potential as a mechanical properties self-healing agent in cement-based mortar.

Recent Advances of Self-Healing Materials for Civil Engineering: Models and Simulations

“…Hydrogel particles facilitate the self-healing process in concrete by utilizing their stored water to stimulate the hydration of cement, thereby mitigating the self-shrinkage of the mixture [37]. Huseien et al [38] added epoxy resins of different mass fractions to concrete and evaluated them comparatively via both microscopic observation and macroscopic tests; they found that specimens prepared with epoxy resins containing 10% by weight of cement had improved mechanical properties after curing. The healing efficiency achieved was 71.8%.…”

Smart Bio-Agents-Activated Sustainable Self-Healing Cementitious Materials: An All-Inclusive Overview on Progress, Benefits and Challenges

“…The cracks formed in the close proximity were also self-repaired and polymerized as the embedded catalyst acted with the healing agent. Figure 7b shows a standard broken microcapsule [127]. Quicker detection and reactions to a crack in the concrete matrix plus the ability to self-heal more kinds of cracks demonstrated the proficient autonomous healing of the encapsulation method [128].…”

Use of Cement Suspension as an Alternative Matrix Material for Textile-Reinforced Concrete

“…In this case, it is relatively easy to design additional protection against elevated temperature, e.g., from board materials (Figure 3) [17]. An additional possible application of epoxy resins in concrete structures could be in the reparation of damaged concrete structures [18], the modification of concrete surfaces, and the elimination of cracks on concrete surfaces [19]. The other possibility of using synthetic resins is in the improvement of mortar-based building materials [20].…”