Abstract
Sulfate aluminate cement (SAC) is an ideal material for emergency road repairs due to its excellent properties, such as rapid setting and early strength development. However, the strength of SAC gradually decreases over time, and its workability during construction is insufficient, leading to poor quality in the repaired pavement. The addition of redispersible polymer powders (RPP) can improve the rheological properties of the cement and reduce its porosity, significantly enhancing the performance of the repair material. This study investigates the effects of adding 0-2% RPP (based on polyacrylic acid ester, VAE) to SAC. The aim is to systematically assess the influence of VAE on the workability, mechanical properties, and development of hydration products in SAC. The results show that the addition of VAE has little effect on the setting time and flowability of SAC. However, as the VAE content increases, the rheological properties of the paste are significantly improved. In particular, at 1.5% VAE, the plastic viscosity and yield stress of SAC are notably increased (43.00 Pa·s vs. 123.00 Pa·s; 0.62 Pa vs. 6.13 Pa). The addition of VAE reduces the flexural and compressive strength of SAC in the initial phase but improves the mechanical properties over the long term (2% VAE: 5.18 MPa increase).
Keywords
sulfate aluminate cement, redispersible polymer powders, polyacrylic acid ester, rheology
Date of Version
2025
DOI
10.5703/1288284318212
Recommended Citation
Wang, Zheng; Guan, Yanfeng; Mu, Minghao; Song, Shimao; Yan, Chen; Dong, Zhenwei; and Li, Qinfei, "Enhancing the Performance of Road Repair Materials with Polyacrylic Acid Ester in Sulfate Aluminate Cement" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 5.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/rrm/5
Enhancing the Performance of Road Repair Materials with Polyacrylic Acid Ester in Sulfate Aluminate Cement
Sulfate aluminate cement (SAC) is an ideal material for emergency road repairs due to its excellent properties, such as rapid setting and early strength development. However, the strength of SAC gradually decreases over time, and its workability during construction is insufficient, leading to poor quality in the repaired pavement. The addition of redispersible polymer powders (RPP) can improve the rheological properties of the cement and reduce its porosity, significantly enhancing the performance of the repair material. This study investigates the effects of adding 0-2% RPP (based on polyacrylic acid ester, VAE) to SAC. The aim is to systematically assess the influence of VAE on the workability, mechanical properties, and development of hydration products in SAC. The results show that the addition of VAE has little effect on the setting time and flowability of SAC. However, as the VAE content increases, the rheological properties of the paste are significantly improved. In particular, at 1.5% VAE, the plastic viscosity and yield stress of SAC are notably increased (43.00 Pa·s vs. 123.00 Pa·s; 0.62 Pa vs. 6.13 Pa). The addition of VAE reduces the flexural and compressive strength of SAC in the initial phase but improves the mechanical properties over the long term (2% VAE: 5.18 MPa increase).
