SELF–CURING CEMENT MORTAR COMPOSITE BY USING POLY VINYL ALCOHOL

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) defines as a self-curing agent when it forms films prevent evaporation water required to hydration. In this study was found the effect of self-curing factor on some mechanical properties is studied by adding of PVA solution to cement ratio (P/C) with varying conditions of curing. The PVA dissolved in water from 1% by weight of cement. It was seen that PVA could service by self- curing through providing increase strength compare with traditional curing. The results showed increased percentages of flexural, tensile and compressive strength of cement mortars with PVA as self-curing agent under dry condition for 28 days were 62%, 101%and 1.5% respectably to compare with self-curing for cement mortars composite modified with PVA as curing agent under wet curing conditions as soon as cement mortars composite modified without PVA were 110%, 5%and14.5% respectably in dry condition also 48 %, 55%and 41% in wet curing conditions respectably. The use of Fourier Transforms Infrared (FTIR) spectra and techniques like scanning electron microscope (SEM) is very significant to show the impacts of the existence of PVA as water-soluble polymer in the fine structure of modified cement mortar by polymers.