Hybrid modified rubber powder and its application in cement mortar

This research focused on using the waste rubber powder as a kind of regenerate resources to improve the mechanical properties of cement mortar. The two kinds of hybrid modified rubber powder TRP and ATRP were prepared by sol-gel method and then used in cement mortar. The structures and properties of them were studied. It is shown that the nano Si-O-Si network is generated in TRP and ATRP networks and the hydrophilic group is grafted on the surface of ATRP. The mechanical properties of rubber-treated mortar (RTM) were tested and the microstructures of them were also studied. Compared to the mortars with unmodified rubber powders (RP), NaOH treated rubber powder (SRP) and coupling agent treated rubber powder (CRP), the RTM with ATRP has the highest compressive strength and flexural strength. The stress-strain curves shown that the peak of stress of RTM with ATRP is increased and indicated the higher compression deformation and toughness. It is found that the interfacial adhesion between the ATRP and cement mortar is increased distinctly by SEM, which results in enhanced ductility and mechanical properties of RTM with ATRP.