Analysis of Expansion Characteristics According to Deterioration Conditions for Superabsorbent Polymer Content of a Polyurethane Waterproof Material with Water Expansion Properties

Gun-Woong Go,Dong-Bum Kim,Sang-Keun Oh,Wan-Goo Park,Su-Young Choi

doi:10.3390/app12062967

Abstract

Polyurethanes with water expansion properties are manufactured by incorporating polyurethane resins and superabsorbent polymers. This study aimed to present an optimal mixing ratio of a superabsorbent polymer that can express the effective waterproofing performance of a polyurethane material with water expansion properties. The evaluation results confirmed that the waterproofing performance was exerted at a superabsorbent polymer mixing ratio of more than 10% and an expansion ratio of 150% or more, which were then set as the minimum standard value for ensuring waterproofing performance. In addition, chemical erosion (by hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, alkali, and sodium chloride), freeze-thaw, and wet-dry cycles were set as deterioration conditions to determine the optimal mixing ratio for the superabsorbent polymer under conditions of use, and the maximum expansion ratio was evaluated after pretreatment under the deterioration conditions. It was found that, based on the minimum standard value for the waterproofing performance set above, the superabsorbent polymer mixing ratio that can ensure an expansion ratio of 150% or more under all deterioration conditions was 14%.

Highlights

Waterproofing materials with water expansion properties used in building construction include bentonite waterproofing membranes and acrylate waterproofing materials
The waterproofing performance of the currently used water-expandable polyurethane for a certain crack area was evaluated according to the deterioration conditions
The evaluation found that the waterproofing performance decreases under the deterioration conditions, but there was no research data on the quantitative swelling rate change characteristics

Summary

Introduction

Waterproofing materials with water expansion properties used in building construction include bentonite waterproofing membranes and acrylate waterproofing materials. These materials are processed and manufactured separately to be applied as waterproofing materials using the water expansion properties of the materials themselves. This has the advantage of utilizing the water expansion properties of the materials, but poses a limitation for ensuring the mechanical properties and chemical resistance performance of the waterproofing materials required under deterioration conditions. The acrylate waterproofing material exhibits problems with drying shrinkage, gelation due to a reaction with water, and poor resistance to external force [2]

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion