Investigation on Physical and Chemical Protecting Mechanism of SME-PS as a Concrete Surface Protectant
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 1
Abstract
Soy methyl ester-polystyrene (SME-PS) is a biodegradable and nontoxic blend of soybean oil and waste polystyrene that can be used as a surface treatment to improve concrete deterioration and rebar corrosion caused by freeze–thaw cycles and chloride salt exposures. Although SME-PS has shown promising results for concrete protection, the mechanism by which it protects concrete is relatively unknown. The current study utilizes thermal analysis techniques to explore the physical and chemical protecting mechanism of SME-PS. The potential chemical reaction, reaction rate, and reaction products among SME-PS, hydrated cement paste, and cement hydration products are investigated using isothermal calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Dynamic vapor sorption analysis is conducted to physically evaluate the effect of SME-PS on the pore structure of concrete. The results indicated that the SME-PS can occupy the pores with sizes smaller than 50 nm, physically preventing the ingress of detrimental ions and water into the concrete porous structure. It was also found that SME-PS can chemically interact with cement paste products rapidly occurring at the first 12 min of blending of cement paste powder with SME-PS. The thermogravimetric results indicated the SME-PS reaction mainly occurs among calcium hydroxide, pore solution, and gypsum. Additionally, the hydrophobic nature of SME-PS is beneficial in terms of protecting the cementitious material surface from aggressive chemicals.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge Indiana Soybean Alliance for providing financial support for the current study through Grant No. 3663-420077. This work was conducted at Drexel University in the Advanced and Sustainable Infrastructure Materials (ASIM) laboratory. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this research are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Indiana Soybean Alliance.
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 1 • January 2024
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jan 19, 2023
Accepted: Jun 29, 2023
Published online: Oct 31, 2023
Published in print: Jan 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Mar 31, 2024
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