Physicomechanical properties of irradiated SBR latex polymer‐modified cement mortar composites

This study investigated the effect of styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR) latex/cement ratio as well as gamma-irradiation dose on physicomechanical properties of cement mortar. Specimens were prepared with a different SBR/cement mass ratio of 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20. Two curing methods were used: wet cure and dry cure. The best specimens were irradiated to doses of 10, 30, and 50 kGy. The compressive strength, total porosity, and bulk density were studied. The result indicated that the compressive strength, total porosity, and the bulk densities of the composites decrease with increase in the polymer cement ratios. In addition, it was observed that the compressive strength of irradiated polymer-modified cement mortar composites was improved with the increase in the gamma-irradiation dose, and the compressive strength of mix-cured samples was higher than those wet-cured samples at any irradiation dose. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, acid attack, and microstructure of SBR-modified cement mortar were characterized. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2019. (c) 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers