Properties of vinyl acetate-ethylene modified mortar (VAE)

Abstract The lower energy absorption of cementitious mortars results in high level of cracks and it directly influences the durability of these composites. To applications as structural repairs, Portland cement mortars require special properties such as lower shrinkage, high deformability level and good adhesion strength. Redispersible or emulsion polymers can distinctly influence the fresh and hardened state of these composites. In general, thermoplastic polymers can improve the performance of mortars, especially due to elastic modulus reduction and, consequently, the crack formations. In this way, this study verify the application of two redispersible copolymers based on vinyl acetate and ethylene in order to verify their influence on fresh and hardened state of mortars and the possible application of these composites in structural repair. Consistency, mechanical strength, physical properties and optical microscopy tests were performed. The results show that the copolymer additions reduce the water absorption due to the polymeric film formation and its coalescence into the pores. In addition, the copolymers provide higher mortar plasticity and decrease the elastic modulus of the mortars studied being its behavior important to structural repairs as in concrete floors.