Polymer concrete is part of group of concretes that use polymers to supplement or replace cement as a binder. The types include polymer-impregnated concrete, polymer concrete, and polymer-Portland-cement concrete. Polymers in concrete have been overseen by ACI Committee 548 since 1971.

Composition

In polymer concrete, thermosetting resins are used as the principal polymer component due to their high thermal stability and resistance to a wide variety of chemicals.
Polymer concrete is also composed of aggregates that include silica, quartz, granite, limestone, and other high quality material. The aggregate must be of good quality, free of dust and other debris, and dry. Failure of these criteria can reduce the bond strength between the polymer binder and the aggregate.

Uses

Polymer concrete may be used for new construction or repairing of old concrete. The adhesion properties of polymer concrete allow patching for both polymer and cementitious concretes. The low permeability of polymer concrete allows it to be used in swimming pools, sewer pipes, drainage channels, electrolytic cells for base metal recovery, and other structures that contain liquids. It can also be used as a replacement for asphalt pavement, for higher durability and higher strength.

Advantages

Advantages of polymer concrete include:

• Rapid curing at ambient temperatures
• High tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths
• Good adhesion to most surfaces
• Good long-term durability with respect to freeze and thaw cycles
• Low permeability to water and aggressive solutions
• Good chemical resistance
• Good resistance against corrosion
• Lightweight
• May be used in regular wood and steel formwork
• May be vibrated to fill voids in forms
• Allows use of regular form-release agents
• Dialectric

Disadvantages

Some safety issues arise out of the use of polymer concrete. The monomers can be volatile, combustible, and toxic. Initiators, which are used as catalysts, are combustible and harmful to human skin. The promoters and accelerators are also dangerous.

Polymer concretes also cost significantly more than conventional concrete.

Specifications

Following are some specification examples of the features of polymer concrete:

Density kg/m3	Compressive strength MPa
2260	37