Gypsum polymer materials in construction

¹ Research Institute of Building Physics of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Building, 127238, Lokomotivny pr. 21, Moscow, Russia
² Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, 129337 Yaroslavskoye av. 26, Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: *bessonoviv@mail.ru

Abstract

The modern level of technological development involves the use of traditional materials modified with additives of various types and functional purposes, as well as composite materials allowing to obtain a product with improved properties. Expanding the area of application of products based on gypsum for facade systems involves the creation of weather-resistant, and, first of all, waterproof materials based on gypsum polymers. The purpose of the experiment, the results of which are presented in the article, was to assess the possibility of using polycondensation polymers as a component of gypsum polymer, to model the properties of the material and to evaluate its characteristics as a result of climatic and humidity influences. The modeling and optimization of gypsum polymer properties were based on statistical methods as well as methods of mathematical analysis of functions of several variables. The assessment of the water resistance of gypsum polymer samples was carried out under test conditions in an open reservoir with an almost unlimited reaction capacity of the medium. The weather resistance was checked according to the results of tests in a climatic chamber. Experiments have shown that the strength of samples with 20% modified melamine-formaldehyde resin in compression and in bending for 80 days of storage in air increases by 30% and 25%, respectively. The compressive strength is 60 MPa, and the flexural strength is 12 MPa. Gypsum polymer has high frost resistance up to 150 cycles of alternate freezing and thawing. The result of the research was the confirmation of the possibility of using polycondensation resins and the foundations of the method for selecting the composition of the gypsum polymer were developed. The results obtained can be used in the development of the technology of gypsum polymer products, and, in particular, piece products (building cladding tiles).