Polymer characteristics and fracture morphology of radiation‐polymerized methyl methacrylate‐impregnated mortar

摘要

AbstractNormal portland cement mortar–PMMA composites have been prepared under different doses of Co‐60 gamma irradiation. The polymerization characteristics of MMA inside mortar and in bulk, mechanical and durability properties, and fracture morphology of the composites have been studied. The rate ofin situpolymerization has been found to be faster than that in bulk. The molecular weights of thein situand bulk PMMA were greatly reduced when a relatively higher dose of radiation was employed for the polymerization. However, the molecular weight of the PMMA‐bulk was found to be higher than that of PMMA‐in situ. The flexural/compressive strength and chemical durability in dil·H2SO4medium of mortar–PMMA composites were, in general, superior to those of mortar–PS, though they declined under prolonged exposure to gamma irradiation. SEM micrographs of the fractured surface of the composites suggest a strong mortar–PMMA interfacial bonding and varied texture of the imbibed polymer