Binder and micro-filler characterization and properties of palm oil fuel ash polymer concrete
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Date
2015
Authors
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Publisher
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract
Polymer concrete (PC) is less popular in tropical countries because its common binders such as thermoset resins are very sensitive towards temperature. This problem potentially accelerates the polymerization process until it jeopardizes its early strength development and ultimately produces PC with low workability, high porosity and weaker material bonding. To address this, polymer inhibitor additive of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) was introduced. Before that, characterization work on binder formulation was done using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Characterization on fillers was done under microstructure examination to gauge its fineness, thermal behaviour, and morphology. Ground POFA (GPOFA) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were categorized as fine microfiller while unground POFA (UPOFA) and silica sand (Sand) were taken as coarse micro-filler. The blended polymer and PC with optimum mix proportion with low binder (11%, 12%, and 13%) and different micro-filler content (8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, and 16%) was investigated under flowability (worakability) and compression tests. Four types of PC (PC-GPOFA, PC-CaCO3, PC-UPOFA, and PC-Sand) with two polyester binders (Isophthalic and Orthophthalic) were produced to investigate its physical, mechanical and microstructure properties. GPOFA gave excellent flowability and led to high compressive strength at 12% binder content and 14% filler content. PC incorporating fine micro-filler had the best compressive, flexural, splitting tensile strength. Also, with its great dispersal characteristics, denser PC with reduced water absorption and formation of pores was achieved. Isophthalic PCGPOFA to normal concrete (NC) bond substrate had 57% of improved bonding strength compared to Isophthalic PC-UPOFA to NC bond substrate, tested under slant shear and splitting tensile tests. As a conclusion, POFA is a highly promising filler for PC after being physically modified. This work also aims to assist both researchers and engineers in the field of PC incorporated with agricultural waste as micro-filler, especially in the tropical countries.
Description
Thesis (PhD (Civil Engineering))
Keywords
Polymer-impregnated concrete, Polymers—Additives, Binders (Materials)—Testing