Polymer Latex Modified Mortar.

Polymer latex modified mortars are portland cement mortars to which polymer latex emulsions have been added during mixing. Mechanical and durability properties of modified mortars, the ef-fects of curing history on modified mortars and latex films, and bond strength of modified mortar to plain mortar were studied. Significant improve-ments were observed in extensibility, bonding prop-erties, and durability of mortar. Hence, mortar modified by latex emulsion may be useful for sur-face coatings, pavement toppings, and patching of damaged concrete. Higher volume changes during wetting and drying, lower modulus of elasticity, and lower compressive strength were observed for modified mortars. Although continuous wet curing reduces the strength of modified mortars, subse-quent drying increases their strengths. For poly-vinyl acetate emulsions, this was partly explained by the performance of latex films in saturated lime solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]