9 - Applications

Abstract

Of various polymer-modified mortar and concrete, latex-modified mortar and concrete have superior properties such as high tensile and flexural strengths, excellent adhesion, high waterproofness, high abrasion resistance, and good chemical resistance, compared to ordinary cement mortar and concrete. Accordingly, they are widely used in many specialized applications in which the ordinary cement mortar and concrete have been employed to a lesser extent till now. In these applications, the latex-modified mortar is widely used rather than the latex-modified concrete from the viewpoint of a balance between their performance and cost. Although more expensive compared to latex-modified mortar and concrete, liquid resin-modified mortars and concretes appear to be getting increased acceptance in the construction industry. This may be because they give more rapid hardening, higher thermal stability, and better water resistance over the latex-modified systems. Of them, epoxy-modified systems have begun gaining popularity recently, and for the other liquid resinmodified mortars and concretes, further testing in laboratories and more onsite experience are required.