Research Activities: 2012
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Nano-Engineered Polyurethane Resin - Modified Concrete |
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| Status | Complete View Final Report: PDF |
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| Sequential Number | R345 | ||||
| Identification Number | 00042529 | ||||
| Matching Research Agency |
Missouri University of Science & Technology |
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| Principal Investigator |
K. Chandrashekhara |
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| Student Involvement |
One graduate student |
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Project Objective |
The goal of the proposed work is to investigate the application of nanoengineered polyurethane (NEPU) emulsions for Latex modified concrete (LMC). The use of biobased NEPU emulsion for LMC application will also be investigated. | ||||
Project Abstract |
Latex modified concrete (LMC), also known as polymer portland cement concrete refers to hydraulic cement mixed with organic polymers that are either dispersed or redispersed in water. The dispersion of polymers in water is sometimes referred to as emulsions. When polymer emulsions are mixed with portland cement concrete, the polymer particles come together to form a polymer film coating on aggregate particles and cement grains, and seals any voids or microcracks. The resulting mixture of polymer emulsion and portland cement concrete will have higher strength, high resistance to chloride penetration and is more inert to chemical attack than plain cement. One of the weak links in a cement-aggregate composite material is the bond between the matrix and the aggregates. To improve the performance of the alternative cement binder (ACB), the research team will develop a NEPU resin to act as an intermediary between the aggregates and the ACB matrix. The NEPU will be used to precoat the aggregates prior to their placement within the ACB matrix. Embedded within the NEPU will be grains of the ACB. Then, when combined with the ACB and water, the unhydrated ACB particles embedded within the NEPU-coated aggregates will react with the surrounding matrix during hydration, providing an enhanced interfacial zone and corresponding improvement in the material properties of the hardened material. In the proposed work, the used of bio-based NEPU emulsion for LMC application will also be investigated. The characterization of NEPU including cure kinetics, rheology, UV resistance, and flame resistance will be conducted. The proposed NEPU-modified concrete will be subjected to physical and mechanical testing. The optimal composition of NEPU system will be investigated for determining the percentage by weight of nano-clay and soy-content. |
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Relationship to other Research/Projects |
Missouri S&T has prior experience with developing a soy-based resin system for manufacturing bio-based composites. A novel soy-based PU resin system was developed for manufacturing polyurethane (PU) composites. Novel soy-based PU composites manufactured in this work can be used as an alternative to the conventional petroleum based PU composites. Also, in the previous work at Missouri S&T, a commercially |
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Transportation-Related Keywords |
Latex modified concrete, alternative cement binder, polymer portland cement concrete | ||||
Technology Transfer Activities |
The research team will work with the Technology Transfer and Economic Development Center (TTED) on the Missouri S&T campus to develop a marketing plan and subsequent commercialization of the products that will stem from the research project. The proposed work will be disseminated through technical conferences and journal publications. |
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Project Deliverables |
Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane (PU) resin, exfoliation of nano materials into PU/soy-PU resin, evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of NEPU/bio-based NEPU system, composition optimization of NEPU system. |
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Anticipated Benefits |
LMC product with high strength, high workability, high durability to |
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Milestones |
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