Application of epoxy resins in building materials: progress and prospects

Abstract

This paper describes the role of epoxy resin in the development of advanced building materials. It reviews in brief the growth of epoxy resin-based high-performance concrete and masonry mortar technology, and epoxy resin as protective coating on mild-steel bar (rebar) for concrete reinforcement. Literature survey reveals that the properties of concrete could be improved significantly with the variation of concentration of the epoxy resin in the composition of polymer-modified concrete (PMC), and that makes the PMC very versatile in applications. Challenges on the use of epoxy resin in the concrete and masonry mortar composition and contribution of the resin on the mechanical and physical properties of building materials have been described. Some ambiguous results on epoxy resin-based concrete available in the literature have been verified in the laboratory, and the confusions have been diffused. Performance of the epoxy resin as a protective coating on rebar has also been discussed. Experimental results show that epoxy resin-based concrete exhibits high compressive strength, less chloride-ion permeation and high chemical resistance to the corrosive environment. Finally, the perspectives of epoxy resin for overall use in building materials and also in specific applications such as repairing of building, the protection of constructions from flood, saline water, and prevention of liquid from penetration into interior of materials have been discussed.