Enhancement of toughness and bonding strength of sulfoaluminate cement-based repair materials via in-situ polymerization

Abstract

In the foreseeable future, the degradation of buildings due to corrosion and natural disasters is an inescapable phenomenon, necessitating extensive building repair works. Developing repair materials with high mechanical properties and high bonding strength is crucial for the repair effect. This study introduces an excellent approach to modify the cement-based repair materials through in-situ polymerization. The results demonstrate that in-situ polymerization substantially enhances the toughness and interfacial bonding strength of the repair materials. Specifically, compared to the control group, the flexural strength and tensile bonding strength of the modified group (with 5 % monomer content) increase by 57.6 % and 103.2 % at 28 days, respectively, while the compressive strength remains unaffected. Furthermore, the paper explores the mechanisms underlying the enhanced interface bonding strength, emphasizing the interlocking of the toughened repair material with the old substrate and the pinning effect of the penetrating monomers within the repair material at the interface. Overall, this research introduces a novel strategy for improving the properties of cement-based repair materials, with promising potential for future applications.