Fly ash as fine aggregate in polyester based polymer concrete

Abstract

Polymer concrete mixes based on polyester resin as an organic binder, fly ash and river sand as fine aggregates and granite as a coarse aggregate have been prepared. Fly ash has been used as a replacement for river sand, which is usually employed in the construction of ordinary cement concrete systems. Properties such as cure time flexural strength and resistance to water absorption have been studied by varying the level of fly ash. It has been noted that fly ash can be used as a fine aggregate material for partially or fully replacing ordinary river sand in polymer concrete systems. Fine aggregates in combination with fly ash and river sand show synergism in strength behaviour and resistance to water absorption up to the level of 75% by weight of fly ash. At the higher level of fly ash, properties decline as the mix becomes unworkable. Cure time, strength and resistance to water absorption of fly ash filled polymer concrete, using unsaturated polyester as the resin binder, can further be improved by increasing the amount of resin in the mix.