Water Absorption Characteristics of Non-Cementitious Polymer Grout Incorporating RHA as Micro-Filler
1,* Loya, S. O., 2* Onogwu, C. M. and 3Galadima, H. B.
1, Quanity Surveying Department, Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, Gombe State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Building, North-Eastern University, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.
3 Quanity Surveying Department, Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, Gombe State, Nigeria
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/5202.41.0160
Abstract
Polymer concretes (PCs) are valued for their low water permeability but are not widely used in tropical regions like Nigeria due to the temperature sensitivity of their main binder, thermoset resins. High temperatures speed up polymerization, affecting early strength, increasing porosity, and reducing workability. To address this, polymer inhibitors were used with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Cobalt naphthenate (CoNp) and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) served as accelerators in the polyester resin binder. Fillers such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3), silica sand (S.S.), and rice husk ash (RHA) were analyzed for properties like density, specific gravity, surface area, particle size, and chemical composition. These fillers were added in varying amounts (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20), while resin content was adjusted to 30%, 40%, and 50%. Water absorption tests were conducted on polymer grouts (Resin-RHA, Resin-S.S., and Resin-CaCO3) after curing at 700°C for 6 hours. Results showed that RHA had the lowest water absorption compared to S.S. and CaCO3, regardless of polyester resin content. However, increasing the polyester resin content reduced water absorption, while higher filler content led to a gradual increase in water absorption.
Keywords: Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3); Cobalt Naphthenate (CoNp); Concrete; Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (MEKP); Rice husk ash (RHA); Silica Sand (S.S.).