Microstructural aspects in steel fiber reinforced acrylic emulsion polymer modified concrete

¹ School of Engineering and Technology, University College of Technology Sarawak, 868 Persiaran Brooke, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak
² Programme of Civil Engineering, School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: siti.hazimmah@ucts.edu.my

Abstract

Scanning electron microscope observations of polymer-free and polymer-modified cements have shown that the polymer particles are partitioned between the inside of hydrates and the surface of anhydrous cement grains. For optimum dosage of acrylic emulsion polymer with 2.5%, the C-S-H gel in this structure is finer and more acicular. Some polymer adheres or deposit on the surface of the C-S-H gel. The presence of acrylic emulsion polymer confines the ionic diffusion so that the Ca(OH)₂ crystallized locally to form fine crystals. The void in the structures seems to be smaller but no polymer films appears to be bridging the walls of pores although many polymer bonds or C-S-H spread into the pore spaces. In addition to porosity reduction, acrylic emulsion polymer modified the hydration products in the steel fiber –matrix ITZ. The hydration product C-S-H appeared as a needle like shape. The needle-shaped C-S-H increases and gradually formed the gel, with needles growing into the pore space. The phenomenon is more obvious as curing age increased.