Actuating mechanism of Superabsorbent Polymers as internal curing agents to mitigate autogenous shrinkage in High Strength Concrete (HSC) – state of the art

ABSTRACT

Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are polymeric materials of synthetic origin, whose chains form a three-dimensional crosslinked network. Its main feature is the ability to absorb a great amount of liquid from the environment and retain it within its structure without dissolution. SAPs can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as toiletries, coating of electrical cables, artificial snow, among many other uses. This type of polymer can also be used for internal curing to prevent autogenous shrinkage cracking in high performance concretes (HPC). The most important property of SAPs in cementitious materials is their capacity to absorb water. This property depends on the type of polymer, the size and shape of the particles, the ionic charge of the fluid and other external influences (temperature, pressure). In order to understand this property and its mitigating influence on concrete self-desiccation, a review of the state of the art about SAP is presented and its kinetics of water migration in cementitious materials. Additionally, it developed a schematic model of PSA's internal actuation mechanism as curing agent over time, in order to give subsidies to the technical-scientific community, for a better knowledge of the material, so that its use might become safe enough to be applied when appropriated.

Keywords
Superabsorbent Polymers; Autogenous Shrinkage; High Strength Concrete (HSC); High Performance Concrete (HPC); Absorption