Evaluation of cementitious repair mortars modified with polymers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of added polymers on the properties of repair mortars. Two types of polymers, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyvinyl acetate–vinyl carboxylate, were used as a replacement for 3%, 5%, and 8% of the cement (by weight). All tests were conducted using two water–cement ratios of 0.5 and 0.6. The effectiveness of the repair materials was evaluated according to setting time, drying shrinkage, thermal expansion, compressive strength, and bond strength. Specimens containing polyvinyl acetate–vinyl carboxylate at a water–cement ratio of 0.5 presented the highest compressive and bond strength. Specimens containing ethylene vinyl acetate presented strength characteristics exceeding those of the control at 28 days. The drying shrinkage of polyvinyl acetate–vinyl carboxylate specimens was similar to that of the control. At a water–cement ratio of 0.5, the thermal expansion of polyvinyl acetate–vinyl carboxylate specimens was lower than that of ethylene vinyl acetate specimens; however, at a water–cement ratio of 0.6, the thermal expansion was independent of the type of polymer