Concrete-Polymer Composites

Investigations of concrete-polymer composites have indicated that remarkable improvements in the structural and durability properties of concrete can be obtained by monomer impregnation and in-situ polymerization by either radiation or chemical-initiators. Improvements in compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths of almost a factor of four times that of concrete have been obtained for samples containing 6 weight percent polymer. Significant improvements in durability were also noted. Methyl methacrylate-impregnated specimens have not failed after exposures of > 1 yr to sulfate brines and 15% hydrochloric acid. Exposure to 5,120 cycles of freezing and thawing has resulted in essentially no attack.