Mechanical characterization of polymer mortars exposed to degradation solutions

A comparative study of the influence of chemical degradation effects on flexural and compressive strength of polymer mortars was performed. For this purpose, epoxy polymer mortars specimens were exposed to eight different degradation agents represent those that often account for corrosive processes in industrial environments. After exposure and mechanical tests a decrease in flexural and compressive strength of the samples exposed to corrosive agents was observed. However, even in those samples, the remaining strength values were far higher than those found in mortars prepared with portland cement concrete and an inorganic binder. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.