Title: Sulfur Polymer Cement for the Production of Chemically Resistant Sulfur Concrete

Author(s): William C. McBee, Harold Weber, and Frank E Ward

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 116

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 193-210

Keywords: cements; chemical resistance; concretes; polymerization; cyclopentadiene compounds; sulfur; sulfur concrete; Manufacturing

DOI: 10.14359/3501

Date: 8/1/1989

Abstract:
Composite materials based on sulfur polymer cement (SPC) and mineral aggregate have been developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines as part of a program to utilize abundant mineral resources. Program goals are to develop durable, chemically resistant construction materials to increase productivity in the chemical, fertilizer, and metallurgical industries by lowering maintenance costs for labor, energy, equipment, and material. This paper describes the research related to development of SPC, the sulfur concrete (SC), and the industrial testing, together with commercial-scale equipment development and large-scale construction practices. Thermoplastic SPC is produced commercially by reacting cyclic olefinic hydrocarbon chemical modifiers with elemental sulfur at 300 F (149 C) in a sealed chemical reactor. The molten SPC is mixed with mineral aggregates, producing a high-strength concrete product with an average compressive strength of 7000 psi (48 MPa) upon cooling. State-of-the-art production and construction techniques are described. Currently, SC materials are showing superior performance characteristics to portland cement concrete (PCC) in special industrial applications where corrosive environments exist.