AbstractAn investigation has been carried out for determining the effect of coupling agents on the mechanical properties of polymer‐impregnated mortars. Mortar specimens were impregnated with methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and α, α‐azobis‐isobutyronitrile initiator, and polymerized thermally in water. Three titanate coupling agents, KR‐33CS, KR‐55, and KR‐138s, and one silane coupling agent, the A‐174, were used for the investigation. Varying amounts of coupling agent were used in impregnating the mortarsin situor in pretreating the mortars with a solvent system. Bulk polymerization of MMA shows no appreciable influence of the coupling agents in the reaction kinetics; however, with the exception of KR‐138S, all polymers obtained in the presence of coupling agents came out as insolble. Similar results were obtained for polymers extracted with acetone from mortars. The mechanical property results show an improvement of properties in mortars containing 5.0 vol of KR‐33CS and A‐174 after impregnationin situ. A slightly better improvements of mechanical properties were obtained by pretreating the mortar specimens with acetone or toluene/xylene containing coupling agents. Microscopic observation of the fracture surface showed no noticeable difference in the surfaces prepared with and wi
展开▼
