Enhancing concrete durability with polymer impregnation: A comparative study of corrosion and freeze-thaw resistance

Abstract

This study explores the efficacy of Polymer Concrete (PC) in bolstering the durability and performance of concrete structures under diverse environmental conditions. Three variants of PC were examined: Polymer Impregnated Concrete (PIC), Polymer Portland Cement Concrete (PPCC), and Polymer Concrete (PC). The study focused on their resistance to corrosion and freeze-thaw cycles. The research also delved into the protective influence of various polymers, including silicone and epoxy, on both concrete and steel. The findings revealed that PIC surpassed other PC types in terms of corrosion and freeze-thaw resistance, while PC and PPCC necessitate further improvements. Silicone emerged as the most potent polymer for enhancing the durability of concrete and steel. PIC, exhibiting superior compressive strength and durability compared to control samples, was proposed as an apt material for construction projects in cold and corrosive environments. The PIC samples, composed of polymer, silicone, and polyvinyl acetate, displayed a significant improvement in their corrosion potential. Over a 90-day period, these samples showed a reduction of approximately 70 units, resulting in a value of 560 mV. When juxtaposed with other PC variants tested in the study, the PIC samples demonstrated superior corrosion resistance. The PIC samples also exhibited a higher average compressive strength and improved frost resistance compared to the PPCC and PC samples. The strength of PIC samples was 16.7% and 14.3% higher than control before and after cycles, respectively. Conversely, PPCC and PC samples displayed lower strengths than control, with PC samples recording the lowest. The strength reduction due to freeze-thaw cycles was least in PIC samples. In conclusion, PIC holds promise as a material for enhancing the durability and performance of concrete structures. Further research is recommended to assess its cost-effectiveness and environmental impact.