Hydration and Physical Properties of Polymer Modified Cement Mortar Containing Superfine Blast Furnace Slag

In this study, properties of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex polymer-modified cement mortar adding superfine blast furnace are investigated. The specimens containing various fineness of blast furnace slag were prepared, and compared with on control mix, to investigate the influence of slag fineness on both fresh and hardened properties of pastes and mortars. The hydration and mechanical properties were determined at 7 and 28days, respectively. The hydration properties of polymer modified cement paste were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The physical properties of polymer modified cement mortar were investigated by flow test, flexural strength and compressive strength. As a result of these experiments, the main hydrates of polymer modified slag cement were monosulphate, calcium hydroxide, C-S-H phase. The C-S-H phase, which contributes improvement of strength, is formed more than slag of lower fineness. For the physical properties, at curing 28days, compressive and flexural strength was about from 15 to 25% higher than that of OPC mortar.