Title: Principles of Epoxy Modification of Portland Cement Concrete

Author(s): S. Popovics

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 137

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 73-92

Keywords: Compressive strength; concretes; epoxy resins; hardener; latex; mortars (material); plastics; polymers and resins; portland cements

DOI: 10.14359/10033

Date: 6/1/1993

Abstract:
Addition of epoxy components to portland cement concrete before or during mixing is a special form of polymer modification of concrete. The polymerization of the epoxy components takes place subsequently in the concrete along with the cement hydration, resulting in a strong, durable polymer inside the hardened concrete. Therefore the process may be called post-mix polymerization. The purpose of the modification is to improve certain properties of a mortar or concrete in the fresh as well as hardened state, such as workability, flexural and compressive strengths, impermeability, etc. In this paper first the properties of the epoxy components and epoxy are discussed that are pertinent to the polymerization and concrete modification. Then the polymerization process is described along with the principles of epoxy modification of concrete. A brief description of mix design for epoxy modified concrete closes the paper.`