Pore size distribution of hydrated cement pastes modified with polymers

Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests were pet-formed on pure and polymer-modified cement pastes in order to evaluate the influence of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC polymer) and vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer (EVA) on the pore size distribution. Cement pastes containing 0%, 10%, and 20% of EVA and 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% of HEC of the weight of cement were prepared and the water/cement ratio was kept constant (0.4). The effects of two curing methods (thy cure: 27 days at 23 degreesC and 75% relative humidity (RH); mixed cure: 7 days at 23 degreesC under seated conditions and 20 days at 23 degreesC and 75% RH) were also evaluated. Analysis of variances (ANOVA) showed that the most important factors affecting pore size distribution are the curing method and EVA, content. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.