Influence of a new type of additive on the performance of polymer-lightweight mortar composites

This paper shows how a new powder polymer additive (PPA), containing a waterproofing agent, a rheology control agent and air-entrainers, affects the workability, mechanical properties and setting times of polymer-lightweight mortar composites (PLMC). The waterproofing agent was a mixture of redispersible polyethylene vinyl acetate and redispersible silane based polymer powder. The rheology control agent was a redispersible hydroxypropyl carboxymethyl ether of patato starch based polymer powder. Air-entraining agent was a redispersible and an unmodified sodium laurly sulphate based polymer powder. Pumice fine aggregate at 0–3 mm size fraction was used as lightweight aggregate throughout the research work. In order to examine the effects of powder polymer additive on flowability and the performance when the additive is mixed in a mortar, the mixture proportions were set in four trial batches. The volume proportions of cement and pumice lightweight fine aggregate were fixed at 1:9, 1:8, 1:7 and 1:6, respectively, defining the mixture of mortar for measuring the compressive strength and workability of lightweight mortar. In this research study, PLMC mortars with 28 different mixture proportions (M1–M28) by weight of cement contents of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0% and 1.2% were adopted for the mortar mixture batches, respectively. Flow value of mortar was measured using a flow table method in accordance with the regulation in ASTM C230, “flow table for use in tests of hydraulic cement”. The target flow was fixed at 130 mm for each mixture proportion, which is regarded as the most suitable fluidity to secure workability at a site. For each mixture, 12 fresh plastic mortar samples were prepared according to the method specified in ASTM C305 and cured in a humidified atmosphere for 24 h, removed from the mould after 24 h, cured in water for 7 days, and then cured in air. The compressive strength test results were evaluated in accordance with ASTM C270.The suitability of using a new powder polymer additive in terms of workability and required compressive strength in PLMC mortar applications is also presented in this paper. It is observed that PLMC mortars have adequate strength and more convenient workability for their use in general masonry construction applications.