Effects of emulsifiers on properties of poly(styrene-butyl acrylate) latex-modified mortars

Two styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer latices having the same chemical components but different emulsifiers were synthesized under the same reaction conditions, and their effects on such properties as workability, air content, compressive strength, flexural strength and water absorption of fresh and hardened polymer-modified mortars were assessed and discussed. From the tested properties of the polymer-modified mortars, it is concluded that a polymeric emulsifier provides a much more positive effect on the properties of the polymer-modified mortars than a low-molecular emulsifier.