Polyester Mortar Research Articles

Sustainable Polyester Composites Containing Waste Glass for Building Applications

The ecological construction of the future aims to reduce the amount of waste and minimize energy consumption related to the production and transport of building materials. One way to stop the destructive effects of the excessive exploitation of natural deposits is to implement extensive activities aimed at reusing, preferably multiple times, waste materials. This article describes the results of testing polyester mortars based on the developed experimental plan. It assumed the use of waste glass cullet as a sand replacement in the amount of 0–100% by mass and a variable resin/aggregate ratio in the range of 0.14–0.36. The use of a two-factor central composition plan allowed us to limit the number of research samples and at the same time obtain the necessary scientific information regarding the obtained mortars. Standard tests for flexural and compressive strength and bulk density were performed on rectangular hardened samples. Additionally, the change in the mass of the samples immersed in water was monitored for a period of 165 days. The analysis of the strength test results allows us to conclude that, with appropriately selected proportions of resin-glass waste, composites with a flexural strength of 30 MPa and a compressive strength of 91.4 MPa can be obtained. Including waste in a mortar allows elements with low water absorption to be obtained. At the same time, their production is about 2.5 times cheaper than their epoxy counterparts. The test results were compared with those obtained for epoxy-based mortars and with reference to the requirements set by the manufacturers of prefabricated polymer concrete elements intended for construction applications.

Comparative study on the performance of photochromic cement, epoxy, and polyester mortars

The utilization of photochromic cement and photochromic polymeric (epoxy and polyester) mortars in building applications is explored in this study. In order to achieve the objective, photochromic cement, epoxy, and polyester mortars were fabricated, and their performances were comparatively evaluated. The physical and mechanical properties, including water absorption, compressive strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity, as well as the phase and microstructural characteristics of the mortars, were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis after a curing period of 28 days. The study also evaluated the photochromic (color coordinates) and optical responses (absorbance values) of cement and polymeric samples exposed to control and urban-industrial environments for 28 and 180 days, respectively. The results demonstrated that polymeric photochromic mortars (epoxy and polyester) exhibited higher compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity values compared to photochromic cement mortars. Additionally, the findings showed that polymeric photochromic mortars (epoxy and polyester) had greater absorbance values and maintained their photochromic response over time compared to photochromic cement mortars.

Comparative performance evaluation of smart reversible thermochromic pigment-based cement and polymeric mortars

Use of thermochromic (TC) materials has demonstrated benefits in reducing the energy demand of buildings. The present study reports the performance comparison of smart reversible thermochromic cement and polymeric mortars. For this purpose, cement, epoxy, and polyester mortars were fabricated with and without thermochromic pigment. After that, the properties such as water absorption, compressive strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) were assessed for all specimens. In addition, analytical characterization, i.e., X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses on the mortars were performed. The color stability, solar reflectance, and temperature tests on mortars after exposure to control and natural environments for 28 and 180 days, respectively, were also performed. The results revealed that compared with thermochromic cement mortars, the thermochromic polymeric mortars retain their color, solar reflectance, and temperature regulation properties, leading to a lower diminution in the control and natural environment. The SEM analysis suggests that the TC pigment microcapsules were firmly embedded in the polymeric matrix leading to a stable chromatic response of mortars. On the other hand, the harsh alkaline cementitious environment leads to degradation and deterioration in the chromatic response of TC pigment. Furthermore, polymeric thermochromic mortars exhibited higher compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and lower water absorption values than cement-based thermochromic mortars. Hence, polymeric mortars are more suitable for fabricating smart thermochromic composites.

Influence of aggregates, glass fibre reinforcement and recycled aggregates on polyester mortar

As the performances of unsaturated polyester mortar are related to its composition, this research is focused on the influence of the grain size distribution of the aggregates, glass fibres reinforcement and the use of recycled aggregates on its mechanical and physical properties and microstructure. It revealed that a higher fraction of coarse sand caused a decrease in compressive (2 to 3%), tensile splitting (10 till 14%) and flexural tensile (5 to 9%) strength since the interlocking effects decrease, while microstructure analysis reveals more cracks and air voids when the filler fraction is substituted. Moreover, the addition of a small amount of glass fibres, i.e. 0.20 vol%, resulted in a decrease of 0.9, 3.4 and 4.6%, respectively, in compressive, tensile splitting and flexural tensile strength, whereas the impact toughness doubled. The properties related to the microstructure indicate that this mixture is less compacted compared to a mixture without fibre reinforcement, although the ultrasonic pulse velocity increased with 2.5%. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential of recycled polymer mortar as aggregates since enhanced tensile (18.5 and 3.9% respectively, for tensile splitting and flexural tensile strength) and impact properties (an improvement of 41.8%) were observed, while the additional tests indicate that the mixture with recycled aggregates has a less dense structure compared to the reference mixture.

Waste polymers and gamma radiation on the mechanical improvement of polymer mortars: Experimental and calculated results

In this work, the effects of waste polymer particles and gamma radiation on the mechanical properties of polyester mortars were studied. Control mortar was elaborated with polyester resin (20%), and silica sand (80%). This last was partially substituted by each waste polymer (1, 2 and 3 wt. %), namely, i) PET from beverage water bottles, ii) Polycarbonate from computer monitors and displays, and iii) Waste tire rubber from automotive tires. A post-curing process was applied to polyester mortars by using gamma rays (at doses of 100 and 200 kGy). Analysis of the results were made according to irradiation dose and the particles concentration. We reminded that such polymer mortars are used in applications where high mechanical and chemical attacks resistance are required, moreover they are friendly to the environment. The results show, that the effect of the ionizing radiation was predominant, because higher percentages of improvement on the mechanical properties were obtained, up to 46% for irradiated mortars with PET particles, and up to 37% for those with polycarbonate particles, respect to that for control mortar. Respect to the waste particles concentration, a general behavior was obtained: mechanical properties decrease gradually with increase of particles concentration. Nevertheless, it was remarkable to use only 1% of waste particles concentration, for to obtain the highest values for both kind of mortars, non-irradiated and irradiated. The experimental results were simulated by Finite Element Method (FEM), both were in good accordance, having minimal difference between them. In addition, morphological modifications of each waste polymer after irradiating, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and related to mechanical behavior of polyester mortars.The improvements in the mechanical properties of the composites, as well as the use of waste polymers, make these polymer mortar environmentally friendly construction materials that can be used in applications that require high mechanical resistance.

Degradation of Mechanical Characteristics of Some Polymeric Mortars due to Aging

Designers and builders must have a better knowledge of polymeric mortars' mechanical properties' temporal evolution if the mortars are to be used effectively and reliability. The authors discuss a study involving tests and accelerated aging in which those properties' degradation was quantified and the experimental data's possible interpretation were produced. Polyester mortars and epoxy mortars were both used, and coupons were exposed to: salt fogging cycles, radiation cycles, thermal cycles, and dry-wet cycles. Both flexural and compressive testing was done. The authors present a short program in which the preliminary microscopic observations are presented and coupons' moisture diffusion is characterized. Epoxy mortar degradation was higher in salt fogging cycles and temperature cycles, in terms of both bending strength and reduced ductility. Growing strength reductions over time result from dry-wet environment cycles at fixed temperature. Ultraviolet radiation caused a stiffness decrease to be detected, but mechanical strength was negligibly reduced and effects were essentially superficial.

Influence of fine tailings on polyester mortar properties

The purpose of this study is to examine the basic properties of polyester mortars using a fine tailings (FT) from an abandoned mine as a filler. FT with sizes of 10–69 μm is obtained through the centrifugal separation of tailing (TA), and tested for such basic properties, as particle shape, fineness of size distribution, liquid resin absorption, and heavy metal leaching. Polyester mortars with FT and ground calcium carbonate (GC) are prepared with various filler-(filler + binder) ratios and replacements of GC with FT, and tested for working life, flexural and compressive strengths, and chemical corrosion resistance. As a result, FT has almost the same properties as GC in terms of particle shape, fineness of size and liquid resin absorption. The working life of polyester mortars is prolonged with an increased filler-(filler + binder) ratio and replacement of GC with FT. From the vantagepoint of the strength development of the polyester mortars with FT, it is recommended that the filler-(filler + binder) ratio and replacement of GC with FT should be controlled at 50% or less. Mass and strength changes are generally lower in mortars containing FT than in those containing GC in all chemical solutions.

Influence of Environmental Aging on Properties of Polymeric Mortars

The emergence of polymeric mortars as a class of materials with applications in civil engineering requires a systematic study of their properties, including mechanical strength and durability under severe environmental conditions. This study reports results based on tests of polymeric mortars, both with epoxy and polyester resins, after exposure to (1) immersion both in distilled and in salt water, (2) salt fog spray cycles (8 h of salt fog, followed by 16 h drying, at 35°C), and (3) temperature cycles [12 h at 20 and 50°C, respectively, with relative humidity (RH) kept at 80%]. Additional tests for humidity cycles at fixed temperature and ultraviolet rays are reported elsewhere. Moisture absorption is analyzed based on mass changes for submerged specimens and Fickian type behavior evaluated. Compressive and bending strength degradation, as well as increase of brittleness, are examined for these accelerated actions and preliminary interpretation advanced. The relative severity of the effects is graphically displayed, tabulated, and analyzed. Brittleness increases more rapidly, under salt fog, for epoxy mortar and bending strength reduction at 10,000 h is also higher (50%) for epoxy mortar than for polyester mortar (32%). Thermal cycles also provoked greater deterioration of bending strength on epoxy mortars. Compressive tests led to results of similar tendency, but with smaller differences.

Assessment of Thermal Degradation on Polymer Mortars

An investigation on the influence of thermal effects on flexural strength of two different binder formulations of polymer mortars was performed, by considering specimens of polyester and epoxy polymer mortars, and a wide range of temperatures. The strength degradation process occurring in the material, as a consequence of positive thermal fatigue cycles (+20°C / +100°C) and freezethaw cycles (-10°C / +10°C), was also quantified and analysed.

폴리우레탄 액상고무를 혼합한 불포화 폴리에스테르 모르타르의 인성 증진효과

폴리우레탄 액상고무를 혼합한 불포화 폴리에스테르 모르타르의 인성 증진효과

Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Mortars Using Crushed Waste Glass

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of crushed waste glass as an aggregate in unsaturated polyester (UP) mortar. The unsaturated polyester mortars using crushed waste glass are prepared with three types of fillers, UP-fine aggregate ratios and crushed waste glass replacements for fine aggregate, and tested for weight change, strengths, setting shrinkage and acid resistance. From the test results, the strengths and acid resistance of UP mortars are improved with an increase in the waste glass replacement for fine aggregate. The setting shrinkage of UP mortars has a minimum value of 21.25×10-4 at CWG replacement of 50% for fine aggregate. It is reduced by a factor of two or more compared with 0%. In this study, a UP mortar with fly ash as a filler, a UP-fine aggregate ratio of 15% and a waste glass replacement of 50% for fine aggregate is selected as an optimal mix proportion of UP mortar using crushed waste glass. This is enough to assure the use of the crushed waste glass as an aggregate for the production of UP mortar.

積算温度方式による軽量ポリエステルモルタルの圧縮強さ算定の試み : 圧縮強さ算定への積算温度関数式の適用(その2)

The maturity method in which the strength increase of cement concrete is expressed as a function of an integral of the curing period and temperature of the concrete has often been applied to its strength prediction. For the purpose of the application of the maturity method to the compressive strength prediction of lightweight polyester mortars using an unsaturated polyester resin as a binder, the lightweight polyester mortars with various catalyst and accelerator contents were prepared, and the datum temperatures for the maturity equations were predicted in previous paper(Part 1). In this paper(Part 2), the maturity is calculated by using the maturity equations with the predicted datum temperatures, and the compressive strength is predicted by using the calculated maturity.

軽量ポリエステルモルタルの可使時間の算定

This paper deals with the effects of ambient temperature, catalyst and accelerator contents on the working life of lightweight polyester mortars. At 10, 20 and 30°C, the lightweight polyester mortars using four lightweight aggregates are prepared with various catalyst and accelerator contents, and tested for working life. As a result, the working life can be controlled by varying the catalyst and accelerator contents at the respective ambient temperatures. Empirical formulas for predicting their working life are successfully proposed.

Strength Properties of Polyester Mortar Using PET and Fly Ash Wastes

The effect of sand and fly ash on the strength properties of polyester mortar (PM) using unsaturated polyester resins based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) plastic waste have been evaluated in this study. Useful equations were also developed to predict the strength and modulus of PM using various amounts of sand and fly ash fillers individually as well as a combination of both. This evaluation is important not only from the standpoint that waste materials are being used, but also because no information is available in this area with PM using virgin materials. The test results show that the use of fly ash and PET wastes is very beneficial for the production of good-quality and relatively low-cost PM. In addition, the utilization of these wastes in PM would help save energy and alleviate an environmental problem. The PM could be utilized in a variety of construction applications such as the overlay of pavements, dams, and industrial floors, or as an adhesive to bond materials of similar or dissimilar compositions.

Coupling agent and glass fibers in polyester mortar

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of aggregates, glass fibers and a coupling agent on the compressive and flexural (three‐point and four‐point bending) behavior of a polyester mortar. Particle size of fine aggregates (quartz and limestone) varied from 0.1 to 5 mm (0.004 to 0.2 inch) and the glass fiber content was varied up to 6% by weight of mortar. A silane was introduced into the polyester mortar by pretreating the aggregates and the glass fibers. The mechanical properties of mortar were studied at room temperature. The test results indicate that the selection of aggregate type, size and distribution is very important. Silane treated aggregate systems showed more than 66% increase in compressive strength and 35% increase in flexural strength when compared to the untreated systems. Addition of glass fibers enhances the strength and toughness of the polyester mortar, and silane treatment of glass fibers helps to further enhance these properties. Flexural (three‐point bending)‐to‐compressive strength ratio varied from 0.28 to 0.35 for unreinforced system and from 0.26 to 0.54 for the reinforced system. The mortar with only 14% polyester and 86% aggregates (by weight) and a coupling agent had a compressive strength of 103 MPa (15,000 psi) which is 94% of the polyester polymer strength. A stress‐strain relationship is proposed to represent the complete stress‐strain response under compression and flexural loading. Also, a method is proposed to quantify the failure patterns.

建設材料特集 不飽和ポリエステル樹脂とビニルモノマーから成る複合結合材を用いたポリマーモルタルの基礎的性質

Polymer mortars such as polyester, epoxy and polymethyl methacrylate mortars are widely used in the construction industry. The polymer mortars are prepared by use of polymeric binders, fillers and aggregates, and the properties of the polymer mortars are considerably affected by the properties of polymeric binders used. A main component of the binder for the polyester mortar is unsaturated polyester resin. Styrene monomer as a diluent is sometime added to the binder. However, the strength of the polyester mortar is decreased when much styrene monomer is added. On the other hand, methyl methacrylate monomer as a main component of the binder for the polymethyl methacrylate mortar requires some crosslinking agents to improve the strength properties of the mortar. The unsaturated polyester resin can be added to the binder as an ingredient of shrinkage-reducing agent for the binder.In the present paper, the combined use of an unsaturated polyester resin and vinyl monomers as the binders for polymer mortars is examined. Styrene monomer or methyl methacrylate monomer with and without a crosslinking agent is added to the unsaturated polyester resin to prepare the binders for the polymer mortars. Basic properties such as working life, strength, stress-strain relationship in compression and modulus of elasticity of the polymer mortars are discussed. In conclusion, such basic properties of the polymer mortars are markedly affected by the formulations of the binders used. In the formulations of the binders, the combined use of the unsaturated polyester resin and methyl methacrylate monomer is found to be reasonable rather than the combined use of the unsaturated polyester resin and styrene monomer.

Fracture toughness of particle filled fiber reinforced polyester composites

AbstractFracture behavior of polyester composite systems, polyester mortar and glass fiber reinforced polyester mortar, was investigated in mode I fracture using single edge notched beams with varying notch depth. The beams were loaded in four‐point bending. Influence of polymer content on the flexural and fracture behavior of polyester composites at room temperature was studied using a uniform Ottawa 20–30 sand. The polymer content was varied between 10 and 18% of the total weight of the composite. The flexural strength of the polyester mortar systems increase with increase in polymer content while the flexural modulus goes through a maximum. The critical stress intensity factor (KIC) for the optimum polyester mortar (14%) was determined by two methods including a method based on crack mouth opening displacement. The KIC for polyester mortar is linearly related to the flexural strength. Polyester mortar (18%) reinforced with 4% glass fibers was also investigated, and crack growth resistance curve (KR) was developed with crack extension (Δa). A model has been proposed to represent the fracture toughness with change in crack length, KR ‐ Δa relationship, of fiber reinforced polyester composite.

Characterization of thermosetting polymer mortars

AbstractThe behavior of epoxy and polyester mortars were studied under various curing conditions, temperatures, and strain rates. The effect of curing temperatures on the compressive stress–strain relationships of polymers and polymer mortars were also investigated. The properties of interest of the two polymer mortars cured under optimum conditions are the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, compressive modulus, and compressive stress–strain relationship. The compressive strength of polymer mortars are related to the testing temperature and logarithmic strain rate. The compressive modulus and splitting tensile strength of polymer mortars are related to their compressive strength. A new nonlinear constitutive model is proposed to predict the complete compressive stress–strain behavior of epoxy and polyester polymer mortars.

Curing and constitutive relationships for polyester mortar

AbstractThe compressive and tensile properties of polyester mortar were studied under various curing conditions, temperature, and strain rate. The curing temperature was varied from room temperature to 80°C. The behavior of polyester mortar was studied using a uniform sand with strain rate and temperature varied between 0.01 to 6 percent strain per minute and 22°C and 120°C, respectively. The strength, failure strain, modulus and stress‐strain relationships of polyester mortar are influenced by the curing method, testing temperature, and strain rate to varying degrees. The influence of test variables on the mechanical properties of polyester mortar are quantified. Pretreating the aggregates with a silane coupling agent further enhances the compressive and tensile strength of the mortar. The compressive modulus and splitting tensile strength of polyester mortar are related to the compressive strength. A constitutive model is used to predict the compressive stress‐strain behavior of polyester mortar.

Polyester mortar

The basic properties of polyester resin mortar have been studied. These properties included compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, shrinkage, and resistance to sulfuric acid. The main variables were the polymer content, the ratio of coarse sand to filler, the method of curing, and the age. The properties of Portland cement mortar were also studied for comparison. Polyester mortar shows a higher rate of hardening, higher strength, and higher resistance to sulfuric acid than cement mortar. On the other hand, polyester mortar shows lower modulus of elasticity and higher shrinkage than cement mortar.