Polymer Modified Mortar

Polymeric admixtures, Portland cement, sand, and water are combined to create polymer modified mortar. Polymer enhances mortar’s performance, which allows it to be used profitably and inexpensively in a variety of applications.
The many types of polymers utilized to create polymer-modified mortar include latex, water-soluble, and redispersible dry polymers. Polymers not only make mortar easier to work with, but they also improve adhesion, toughness, flexural or tensile strength, chemical resistance, and freezing and thawing resistance.
In addition, polymer-modified mortar uses less water than conventional mortar, producing a denser, less porous mortar.

How Polymers Enhance the Properties of Mortar

1. Sturdiness and longevity

Several studies have shown that the addition of polymers to mortar increases its tensile strength, flexural strength, impact and abrasion resistance, water resistance, and chemical resistance when compared to mortars that do not contain polymers. Furthermore, polymers prevent microcracks from propagating, increasing the mortar’s overall toughness.

2. Practicality

Polymers increase the fluidity and ease of handling and application of mortar. As a result of its water-reducing effect, the mortar becomes stronger and has fewer voids over time. Certain polymer types lengthen the time it takes for hydration, increasing working time. This is quite beneficial in warm climates.

3. Stickiness

The adhesive properties of polymers help mortar adhere better to a variety of surfaces, including metal, glass, concrete, masonry, brick, and stiff polystyrene and polyurethane foam. This feature is especially important for applications involving thin section overlay mortar, high vibration, and heavy traffic.

4. Curing Cement

One of the main elements influencing mortar strength is curing. Water must be supplied in sufficient amounts to ensure good curing, particularly in the first five to seven days of the process.
Polymers have also been shown to enhance mortar curing by slowing down the pace at which water evaporates. In thin applications, where the surface area for evaporation is large in relation to the mortar volume, this slower rate of water evaporation is particularly significant.
Lastly, polymer modified mortar experiences less drying shrinkage than conventional mortar since it uses less water than regular mortar.

Polymer Types

Polymer modified mortar is made from a variety of polymer types, including:

1. Polymers made of Latex
2. Dry polymers that can be disposed of, such ethylene vinyl acetate
3. Polymers soluble in water, such as polyvinyl alcohol

Uses

1. Installing grout on walls and floors

This is the mortar that uses polymer modified polymers the most frequently. Polymer-modified mortar is perfect for masonry exposed to weathering and other external conditions since it reduces the intrusion of water and salt. Tiles can be attached to concrete and cement board substrates using polymer-modified thinset mortar without soaking them beforehand.

2. Fill in the gaps

Because polymer-modified mortars can connect with even the densest surfaces and minimize shrinkage, they are frequently utilized for repair applications. It is employed to fix fractures and delaminations in concrete structures

3. Sealing with water

Its use in the building of concrete walls, ship decks, roof decks, septic tanks, basements, and bulk water storage tanks contributes to a strong resistance to chemicals and water.

4. Pavements and Flooring

For commercial flooring overlay formulations, warehouses, factories, hospitals, stairways, and garages, polymer-modified mortar can be used.