Polymer concrete production technology with improved characteristics based on furfural for use in hydraulic engineering construction
Introduction. Research of polymer concrete properties show that it differs favorably from conventional concrete by such indicators as mechanical strength, resistance to aggressive impact of various environments, water resistance, abrasion resistance, water-repellency and frost resistance. Currently, it is possible to obtain polymer concrete with characteristic and chemical properties -specified density, strength, deformability, ductility, and corrosion resistance. Methods and materials. The research is carried out by comparing laboratory tests of polymer concrete based on furfural binder. Furfural has a high reactivity and can form resin compounds with many chemicals. Diphenylamine was added to furfural in different proportions. Benzenesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid and their mixture at a ratio - 1:1 by weight were used as hardeners. Crushed sand or ground andesite based on nanostructured microfiller served as aggregate for various compositions of polymer solutions. The polymer concrete strength, chemical resistance, lasting properties, water resistance, abrasion resistance, metal adhesion were tested during the research. Structural changes in properties were studied by the electron microscopic analysis method. Results and discussion. It is established that the diphenylamine solution in furfural, provided that it is solidified by sulfuric acid, benzolsulfoacid or mixture of these acids, is a polymer binder capable to form a high-strength material under normal hardening conditions by acid-resistant aggregates. It is also determined that to prepare resin, the ratio of furfural and diphenylamine should be within 1:0.5-0.3 by weight. The resin containing 1 weight part (w.p.) of furfural and 0.5 weight part of diphenylamine is conventionally named FD-1; containing 1 weight part of furfural and 0.4 weight part of diphenylamine - FD-2 and resin with 0.3 weight part of diphenylamine - FD-3. Conclusion. The introduction of nanostructured microfiller into the polymer concrete composition could save expensive resin. Comparison of the technologies for producing FD resin and polymer concrete, as well as preliminary test data of the studied materials, can determine the possible technical and economic advantages of polymer concrete based on FD resin over the polymer concrete based on FA (furfurolacetone) monomer which is currently used in construction of hydro-engineering structures. Polymer concrete based on FD resin has high strength and exceeds the strength of polymer concrete based on FA monomer by 20-25%.