EFFECTS OF SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND POROSITY OF CEMENT-BASED MATERIALS

Abstract

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is a powdered chemical mixture that can be used for internal curing during the hardening of cementitious materials, helping to prevent fine cracks that may arise. In addition to its role in internal curing, SAP can affect the workability and hydration process of the materials. As SAP has only been studied in recent years, there is no standard theory or methodology for its utilization. In this study, various parameters were evaluated to determine the mechanical properties influenced by the use of superabsorbent polymer (SAP), including the size of the SAP particles, the condition of the SAP during mixing, curing conditions, and the types of supplementary cementitious materials used. These variations were assessed based on the compressive strength of the specimens at 28 days. Subsequently, X-Ray μCT was used to identify the effect of SAP on pore structure. The results indicated that specimens incorporating 0.2% SAP/binder and supplementary cementitious materials exhibited a compressive strength that was 22.6% higher than specimens using only supplementary cementitious materials. This finding demonstrates that SAP can significantly enhance the compressive strength of cement-based materials by facilitating internal curing and increasing the degree of hydration. By improving the properties of cementitious materials, the use of SAP allows for a reduction in the amount of cement required, contributing to more sustainable construction practices.