Effect of Polymer Additives on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Self-Leveling Rubberised Concrete

The materials based on concrete with an addition of rubber are well-known. The interaction between concrete components and rubber particles is in the majority cases insufficient. For this reason, different substances are introduced into concrete-rubber systems. The aim of this paper is to establish the influence of five different polymer additives, i.e., 1. an aqueous dispersion of a styrene-acrylic ester copolymer (silanised) (ASS), 2. water dispersion of styrene-acrylic copolymer (AS), 3. anionic copolymer of acrylic acid ester and styrene in the form of powder (AS.RDP), 4. water polymer dispersion produced from the vinyl acetate and ethylene monomers (EVA), 5. copolymer powder of vinyl acetate and ethylene (EVA.RDP)) on the properties of the self-leveling rubberised concrete. Scanning electron microscopy has allowed to establish the interaction between the cement paste and rubber aggregates. Moreover, the compressive strength and flexural strength of the studied materials were evaluated. The results indicate that the mechanical properties depend extensively on the type as well as the amount of the polymer additive introduced into the system.

Coatings with recycled polyvinyl butyral on polyester and polyamide mono- and multifilament yarns

Polyvinyl butyral is used in safety glass interlayers, mainly in car windshields. Legislative regulations require a recycling of cars after their lifetime and therefore also their safety glass. This causes the availability of recycled polyvinyl butyrate (r-PVB) originated from safety glass interlayers. Due to deteriorated optical properties, such as the transparency, and unknown amounts of plasticizers, it is challenging to reuse the recycled material in new windshields. Therefore, it is of particular interest to find new fields of application for r-PVB, such as the usage as a textile coating. In this research, r-PVB was investigated as a material for yarn coating. Polyester and polyamide mono- and multifilament yarns were coated continuously with solely a polymer dispersion and with mixtures of crosslinking agent and polymer dispersion. Crosslinked r-PVB coatings showed enhanced properties toward abrasion and chemical resistance. Coatings without the crosslinking agent showed a diminished abrasion resistance and could be washed off with ethanol. Mechanical properties of the monofilaments were influenced by the r-PVB coating in general. However, varying concentrations of the crosslinking agent did not affect the mechanical properties.

Liquid Penetration Depth and Strength of Concretes Modified with Polymer Admixtures Under the Action of Crude-Oil Products

In the present article, the research results of concretes modified with a polymer dispersion of vinyl-benzene and acrylic (PC1) and with a styrene–butadiene dispersion (PC2) are discussed. Concretes were exposed to diesel, non-ethylated fuel, and the standard mixture of light liquids for 1000 h. Concretes modified with polymer dispersions, especially with the styrene–butadiene dispersion (PC2), indicated a smaller degree of liquid penetration into the depth of samples compared to the control concrete. The compressive strength for tested concretes, determined after 1000 h of storage in crude-oil products, in comparison to the strength of samples stored in de-mineralized water was significantly decreased, with the maximum differences equal to 12% for PC2 concrete.

Portland Cement with Mineral Fillers and Polymer Additives

This paper is devoted to the study of the hardening process and the mechanical properties of composite cements. There were three mineral additions and two polymer ones, namely fly ash, limestone meal and marble powder, polymer dispersion and redispersible polymer powder used. The principal possibility of combining mineral fillers in the design of composite cements is shown. It has been established that the samples of cement stone based on binders modified with redispersible polymer powder have higher compressive and flexural strength, regardless of the type of filler.

The new method of manufacturing porous castings from styrene–acrylic dispersion

This work presents an innovative method for producing porous castings from polymer dispersion with wood flour. The method described for forming porous castings from blends, in which the aqueous dispersions of polymers are binders, enables the manufacturing of wood-like products with a cork-like structure. The casting technology and selected properties of finished castings (density, compression strength) are presented. The structurual investigations of the obtained castings are also presented.