Utilization of copolymer based on poly (vinyl alcohol) and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate as admixture for cement pastes

Abstract

In this study, three composition ratios of [polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)- 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA)] were prepared by grafting polymerization techniques in aqueous solution using ammonium persulfate as free radical initiator. The ratio of PVA/2-EHA in the grafted copolymers was variable: 1/ 8, 1/ 6 and 1/ 4, respectively. The obtained grafted copolymers were characterized by different techniques including FTIR, 1H NMR, TGA and DSC. The copolymers were mixed with cement to study the physicomechanical properties of cement pastes including W/C ratios, setting time, workability, water absorption as well as compressive strength were investigated. The results showed that the addition of grafted copolymers to cement pastes affected the physicomechanical properties. As the content of 2-EHA in the grafted copolymers increased, the water of consistency decreased, whereas the setting times (initial & final) were shortened. The compressive strength of the cement pastes was increased at all ages of hydration while water absorption decreased with increasing 2-EHA.