Definition of polymer concrete:
Reasons why you expect polymer concrete is a composite material that consists of concrete and polymer elements. It completely eliminates cement hydrate adhesives of traditional concrete and replaces them with polymer adhesives or liquid resins.
Polymer concrete can be mixed with different types of resins depending on the properties it needs for the project, such as chemical and weather resistance.
Here are some of the different types that are used:
Methacrylate
Epoxy resin
Resin furan
Polyester resin
Vinyl ester resin
Composition of polymer concrete:
Polymer concrete is prepared from thermoset resin and thermoplastic polymers. It is more suitable to use thermoset resin, because it is very resistant to heat and a wide range of chemicals.
Polymer concrete consists of polymer resin and aggregates. The polymer resin acts as the binder, while the aggregate acts as the compressive stress material. Concrete aggregate consists of quartz, silica, granite pebbles, lime sand and other materials with high compressive strength.
Formulation of polymer concrete:
Many PC formulations have been used to repair concrete. Choosing the right formula for a specific application is essential. Some of the most commonly used monomers for computer repair materials include methyl methacrylate (MMA), unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethane, and vinyl esters.
Advantages of polymer concrete:
One of the main advantages of polymer concrete is its versatility. This means that due to the wide variety of different adhesives that you can use to create polymer concrete, you can get different benefits depending on the combination you create.
Disadvantages of polymer concrete:
1. The cost of polymer concrete is very high compared to ordinary concrete
2. Polymer work requires high skill and precise work during mixing
3. The possibility of improper compatibility of two-component materials is higher, so proper mixing design is required for uniform mixing of concrete materials.
4. Working with chemicals and resins used in polymer concrete is dangerous, so the use of masks, gloves and other skin protection tools is strongly required.
What applications is polymer concrete used for?
Because polymer concrete is a strong and workable building material that can be mixed in many different ways to create specific benefits, it is used for many different commercial construction projects. Some of these are:
1. Repairing damaged concrete due to corrosion
2. Prestressed concrete
3. Nuclear power plants
4. Electrical or industrial construction
5. The sea works
6. Prefabricated structural components such as acid tanks, manholes, drains, highway barriers, etc.
7. Sealing of structures
8. Sewage and desalination plants