Resin Concrete
Resin concrete is also known as polymer concrete. It is a composite material consisting of a monomer or resin system i.e., mixed with graded aggregate and polymerized. polymer concrete contains no Portland cement. Different type of grades and polymers can be used in making polymer concrete such as - vinyl esters, styrene, unsaturated polyester resins, methyl methacrylates, etc., but the best known and most widely used binder is an epoxy resin. Epoxy resins can be formulated for a wide range of physical and chemical properties. For concrete repair, they can be used on dry concrete, damp concrete, and underwater applications. Epoxy hardening is very temperature dependent and most epoxy resins do not work properly at temperatures below 15 C or so.Resin concrete is a fast setting material. It has better bond property, high compressive, tensile and flexural strength as compared to conventional concrete. It also has good chemical resistance. Some polymers, however, show shrinkage during hardening, but this can be reduced by increasing the amount of aggregate filler.
Resin/polymer concrete can be used for a variety of applications such as - maintenance and repair of concrete structures in a marine environment, structure exposed to corrosive liquids or chemicals, structure exposed to acidic waters, or where higher strengths are essentially required.