Performance of Polymer Modified Mortar with Different Dosage of Polymeric Modifier

¹ School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
² Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia

Abstract

Polymer modified mortar system is defined as hydraulic cement combined at the time of mixing with organic polymers that are dispersed or re-dispersed in water, with or without aggregates. The compressive strength and flexural strength of polymer modified mortar obtained at early age are low and it required prolong curing period for the strength enhancement. In order to enhance the mechanical properties of cementitious mixture as well as its durability, hybridization of polymeric modifiers are applied into cementitious mixture specimens. Thus, this study is intended to examine the mechanical properties of hybrid polymer modified mortar system at various levels of polymeric modifier dosage; styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex and epoxy resin. Laboratory tests for density, compressive strength and flexural strength were carried out to determine the strength of hybrid polymer modified mortar. In this study, the hybrid polymer of SBR latex with epoxy resin gives discontented results compared to unmodified cement system. The results of density, compressive strength and flexural strength of hybrid polymer modified cement system had shown negative outcomes and did not make any improvement to cement system.