Properties of Polymer Impregnated Concrete

1. The polymer concrete gains cube compressive strength more than 100N/mm2. This strength is irrespective of the strength of the conventional concrete.

2. The flexural strength of polymer impregnated concrete is usually about 15N/mm2. This is slightly higher than the highest strength plain concrete that is made from normal ingredients.

3. The elastic modulus lies in the range from 30 to 60N/mm2. This value is similar to the value that is obtained from high strength concrete (i.e. about 45N/mm2)

4. The polymer impregnated concrete possesses lesser creep and shrinkage problems due to a lesser number of pores.

5. The polymer impregnated concrete is highly resistant to acid attack, sulfate attack and chloride attack when compared with PCC.

Applications of Polymer Impregnated Concrete

1. Surface Impregnation of Bridge Decks: The bridge decks are allowed to undergo impregnation to avoid the intrusion of moisture, chemicals as well as chloride ions.

The bridge decks constructed in the areas of high salt water and moisture exposure can be protected by this method.

2. Repair of the structures: The damaged structures can be improved by the method of polymer impregnation. The life period of structures which cannot be reconstructed can be increased by this method.

This method hence helps in restoration as well as the preservation of the stone monuments.

3. Underwater and Marine Applications: The ability of Polymer impregnation help in improving the structural properties, resistance to water absorption, and impermeability properties of the concrete structure. This makes them be widely used in underwater construction and for marine structures.

The structures constructed in desalination plants and sea floor structures use this method of concrete construction. It has been observed that the partial impregnation of the concrete piles in the sea water reduces the corrosion of steel reinforcement by 24 times.

4. Application in Irrigation Structures: The use of conventional methods in the repair and rehabilitation of dams and other important hydraulic structures are found to be ineffective and imperfect.

These are later found to cause a large loss in the benefits that are obtained from the irrigation, power generation, flood control etc. But the method of impregnation work best.

The concrete from the severely damaged area is removed, patched and dried. This area is later treated by means of a polymer impregnation.

5. Structural Members: The polymer impregnated concrete have a great potential as a structural material. The PIC also shows remarkable improvements over the conventional concrete.

The internal cracks and voids are the basic factor behind all the issues in conventional concrete structure. As the polymer impregnation stops the root cause, it is best used in structural members.