Effect of submicron admixtures on mechanical and self‐healing properties of cement‐based composites

Abstract

This study presents the development of novel submicron super absorbent polymers (SAPs) used as admixtures in cement‐based matrices with significant advantages over conventional products. The produced SAPs were characterized in respect of their morphology and composition, while their water absorption capacity was determined in different electrolyte solutions. The hybrid core‐shell spherical structure of the fabricated materials offered significant compatibility enhancement with cement while the workability of the mixture was maintained. The assessment of the cement‐based composites including SAPs revealed that their flexural strength increased by 78%. Self‐healing/sealing behavior was assessed by monitoring the crack sealing via SEM, elemental analysis of the healing products, and determination of the water absorbance coefficient for different times of treatment. The cement/SAPs composites with a concentration of SAPs 2% by weight of cement exhibited self‐healing/sealing responsive capability when an artificial crack was induced. According to the SEM characterization, the crack demonstrated complete healing for the better part of its length after 28 days of treatment.

Triggerable Super Absorbent Polymers for Coating Debonding Applications

“…Radical polymerization was performed to synthesize SAPs consisting of copolymers of P(MAA- co -EGDMA). The synthetic process is described in more detail in our previous work [ 24 ]. The polymerization took place in a reactor equipped with a condenser under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen, N 2 , flow), at 90 °C, with constant and vigorous stirring.…”

Self-Healing Cement: A Review

“…Then, it was centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 10 min and rinsed in CAN. Details of this method can be found in the study [84]. Coatings were made with known procedures.…”

“…The drying-wetting process can be repeated continuously [70]. Similarly, Ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate (EGDMA) can form PMAA@EDGMA spheres [2,[82][83][84]. The spheres PMAA@EDGMA were prepared through the radical polymerization of MAA with EGDMA in calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN).…”

“…An attempt was made to solve this problem based on previous work by trapping P(MAA-co-EGDMA) inside SiO 2 and CaO-SiO 2 shells and incorporating them into a cement mixture [70,[84][85][86]91,92]. The effects were studied by various methods, which proved cement's self-healing.…”

Study on the Synergistic Effect of Superabsorbent Polymer and Crystalline Admixture on Self-Healing Performance of Mortar Based on Image Binarization Method

“…Due to the water-absorbing and swelling characteristics of SAPs, as well as its internal curing effect by releasing water within the concrete matrix, the water absorbed by SAPs can facilitate the healing of concrete cracks by CAs. Additionally, the insoluble gel formed by SAPs upon water absorption can serve to fill the cracks [25]. Yokota et al [1] mixed fly ash with SAPs and incorporated it into concrete.…”