Evaluating damage of rubberized cement-based composites under aggressive environments: Fid-Bau Portal

Evaluating damage of rubberized cement-based composites under aggressive environments

Pham, N.-P. / Toumi, A. / Turatsinze, A.

Highlights • Performance of rubberized mortars under chemical attacks was investigated. • Damage variable was defined to evaluate the composites under acid/ sulfate attacks. • Bond enhancement improved durability of the materials under aggressive environments. • Microstructural observations on rubber-cement matrix interface after chemical attacks.

Abstract Rubberized cement-based composites are suitable for large surface applications that require higher strain capacity and lower propensity for cracking owing to length change rather than prioritize strengths. However, bond defects between rubber aggregates and cement matrix affect durability of the composite, especially the sustainability of such materials under aggressive environments. An enhanced rubber-cement matrix bond using a rubber coating solution contributed to a significant improvement in transfer properties. Hence, this study investigated effect of this bond enhancement on resistance of rubberized cement-based applications to acid and sulfate attacks. Especially, damage variable was defined as changes of load-resisting areas to evaluate the durability of rubberized mortar specimens during chemical attack process. Results demonstrated that the bond enhancement at rubber-cement matrix interface lowered damage variable of mortar incorporating coated rubber aggregates compared to that of the untreated one. Microstructural analysis still revealed a better interface in coated rubberized mortar exposed to acetic acid and to external sodium sulfate environments.