STYRENE-BUTADIENE LATEX MODIFIERS FOR BRIDGE DECK OVERLAY CONCRETE

Styrene-butadiene (S/B) latex modified concrete overlays are being used to protect new bridge decks from rapid deicer-borne chloride intrusion and also in bridge deck rehabilitation efforts. The purposes of this research were to evaluate several commercially-available S/B latex modifiers for bridge deck overlay concrete; and to develop chemical specifications for the material, a prequalification program to permit evaluation of other S/B latex modifiers which become available, and a certification program to insure the user receives a prequalified product. The chemical and physical properties of the latex emulsions were studied (percent solids, percent butadiene, particle size, surface tension, viscosity, etc.) and the material from each manufacturer was finger printed using infrared spectroscopy. The physical properties of concrete made with each material were also determined (workability, strength-compressive, flexural and bond, freeze-thaw and scaling resistance, and chloride permeability). In general, the studies showed that the following materials similar properties and thus would be expected to perform similarly as bridge deck overlays: Modifier A--Dow Chemical Company; Deco-Rez 4776--General Polymers Corporation; Thermoflex 8002--Reichhold Chemicals, Inc.; and Arco Dylex 1186--Arco Polymers, Inc. The prequalification procedures given in the report are suggested for use in evaluating other S/B latex emulsions offered by industry. The certification procedures are suggested for use to insure that each production batch of emulsion is similar to an emulsion which was prequalified. /FHWA/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This staff study is a work unit in Federally Coordinated Program Project 4B, "Eliminate Premature Deterioration of Portland Cement Concrete."
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • CLEAR, K C
  • Chollar, B H
• Publication Date: 1978-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 124 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Chemical properties; Chlorides; Concrete; Copolymers; Corrosion protection; Latex; Overlays (Pavements); Physical properties; Specifications
• Uncontrolled Terms: Styrene butadiene copolymers
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179516
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-78- 35 Intrm Rpt., FCP 24B1-562
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 1978 12:00AM