POLYMER

CONCRETE
BY
SOWBHAKYA LAKSHMI RA
SUJAATHAA S.M
W H AT I S P O LY M E R C O N C R E T E ?

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• Polymer concrete is a part of group of concretes that use
polymers to supplement or replace cement as a binder.

T I T L E
• Polymer concrete is a composite material which results
from polymerization of a monomer and aggregate mixture.
The polymerized monomer acts as binder for the 2
aggregates and the resulting composite is called “Polymer
Concrete.

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 W H Y P 0 LY M E R C O N C R E T E ?
• For applications as a constructional material offering the potential

P R E S E N TAT I O N
advantages of a higher strength, water tightness, and improved durability
and resistance to freeze-thaw cycles over normal portland cement
concrete.
COMPOSITE USING POLYMER:

T I T L E
1. Polymer concrete (PC), when the binder is a polymer that replaces the
cement paste
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2. 2. Polymer modified concrete (PMC), when the polymer is mixed
along with cement

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3. 3. Polymer impregnated concrete (PIC), when the cement concrete is
treated by soaking and polymerization.

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4. 4. Partially Impregnated And Surface coated polymer concrete.
TECHNIQUES TO MIX MONOMER

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• Two techniques are used to mix monomer with aggregate.
• The first is the conventional method of adding monomer
to dry aggregate and stirring until a uniform blend is
achieved.

T I T L E
• The second technique consists of placing the monomer in
the specimen mould and then gradually adding aggregate
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to the monomer. The mixture is Consolidated by
mechAnical Vibration.

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A D VA N TA G E S A N D D I S A D VA N TA G E S

P R E S E N TAT I O N
OF PC
• Rapid curing at ambient temperatures
• Good long-term durability with respect to freeze and thaw
cycles

T I T L E
• Low permeability to water and aggressive solutions
• Good resistance against corrosion 5

• DISADVANTAGES: It tends to be brittle in nature i.e. if

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fiber reinforcement is not provided in some polymer
concrete cases they tend to develop cracks. Among the

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disadvantages is their high cost.

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P O LY M E R M O D I F I E D C O N C R E T E

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• It is also known as polymer cement concrete
• Polymer modified concrete is gaining popularity because
of its ease of handling, economy and satisfactory results

T I T L E
• Low water absorption and permeability make it an
effective material for use in hydraulic structures as well.
• It has the property of setting quickly. 6

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CHARACTERISTICS OF PMC

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• its ability to bond strongly with old concrete, and
to resist the entry of water and aggressive
solutions.

T I T L E
• Epoxy resin produced a concrete that showed
some superior characteristics over ordinary
Portland cement. 7

• DISADVANTAGE Modest improvement of

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strength and durability

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P O LY M E R I M P R E G N AT E D C O N C R E T E

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• It is a precast and hydrated portland cement
concrete, which has been cleaned, dried
(eventually evacuated) and impregnated with a
low viscosity monomer (eventually soaked under

T I T L E
pressure) before being polymerized.
• The most appreciable improvements in the 8
structural and durability properties have been
obtained with PIC.

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 P R E S E N TAT I O N
• The unique feature of impregnating concrete is that a large
part of the voids volume in the capillary pores is filled
with the polymer .
• Forms a continuous internal reinforcing structure which is

T I T L E
thus responsible for the remarkable improvement in
strength and durability.
• The mechanical and chemical resistant properties of PIC 9
composites are superior to the conventional cement mortar.

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 P R E S E N TAT I O N
• Porosity of the conventional cement mortar is greatly reduced when it is
impregnated with polymers thereby increasing its durability.
• The presence of the polymer in a PIC not only envelopes the cement mortar
but also seals the voids formed during the cement hydration.

T I T L E
• Compressive strength increases and is different for different composition
and on type of polymers used.
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• Tensile strength increases and is different for different composition and on
type of polymers used.

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 PA RT I A L LY I M P R E G N AT E D
CONCRETE

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• The partially impregnated concrete can be easily produced by initially
soaking the dried specimens in the liquid monomer ,then sealing them
by keeping them under hot water at 70°c to prevent or minimize loss

T I T L E
due to evaporation.
• Partial impregnation may be sufficient in situations where the major
requirement is surface resistance against chemical and mechanical 11
attack in addition to increase in its strength.
• The depth of monomer penetration depends upon Pore structure

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Duration of soaking Viscosity of the monomer

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A D VA N TA G E S

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• It reduces freeze thaw deterioration, corrosion
• Increase in tensile strength
• Increase in compressive strength

T I T L E
• Increase in modulus of elasticity
• Resistance to acid attack 12

• It improves the durability of concrete

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• Less pores

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P L A C E S O F A P P L I C AT I O N :

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• structural floors
• swimming pools
• Pipes

T I T L E
• storage tanks for distilled water
• anti-abrasive surface 13

• marine structures

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• tunnel liners

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• telephone cable ducts.

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CONCLUSION

P R E S E N TAT I O N
• Curing time studies on polymer concrete have established
that it achieves around 70% of its strength after a curing of
one day at room temperature.
• Durability studies on polymer concrete have established its

T I T L E
superiority over conventional cement concrete.
• Exposure to water, chemical agents etc. has very less
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deleterious effect on properties of polymer concrete when
compared to cement concrete.

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