Setting Shrinkage Characteristics of Methyl Methacrylate-Modified Vinyl Ester Polymer Concrete

Abstract

This study evaluated the setting shrinkage characteristics of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)-modified vinyl ester polymer concrete with different curing ages, MMA contents and curing temperatures. Results have shown that most of the setting shrinkage developed within 24 h after curing initiation. It was also found that an increase in MMA content led to an almost linear decrease in setting shrinkage, indicating that adding an MMA monomer was an effective measure to reduce the setting shrinkage of MMA-modified vinyl ester polymer concrete. A higher curing temperature tended to result in greater setting shrinkage, indicating that low-temperature curing is beneficial for reducing the setting shrinkage. The magnitude of setting shrinkage observed in vinyl ester polymer concrete was much greater than the drying shrinkage typically observed in ordinary Portland cement concrete but was smaller than the setting shrinkage of polymer concrete incorporating other types of binder.