Acrylic Powder Modified Portland Cement

Abstract

Abstract The key functions of polymer in modifying cement for both indoor and outdoor applications have been identified and demonstrated through years of practice since the early 1960s. The effectiveness of using pure acrylic polymer in cement modification can be credited to the unique acrylic chemistry in combination with special polymer designs and processes. Both acrylic powder and acrylic latex rely on the acrylic backbone to provide excellent performance and durability, especially for exterior applications. Acrylic redispersible powder recently developed preserves acrylic latex performance in mechanical strength, adhesion, and water resistance as demonstrated by various tests under wet- and dry-exposure conditions. In addition, use of acrylic powder as a “one-package” alternative to latex facilitates on-site handling, environmental protection, and reduces packaging and transportation costs. This paper presents the results of performance comparsion between acrylic redispersible powder and acrylic latex in cement modification. The polymer-modified mortar properties were evaluated and compared in both a typical concrete repair mortar and a ceramic tile formulation. The exterior durability of acrylic powder modified repair mortar was demonstrated through exterior exposure studies. The modification efficiency of acrylic powder was also studied at different polymer levels in a patching formulation that compared favorably to other commercial powders at lower polymer level usage.