Self-healing capability of cementitious materials with crystalline admixtures and super absorbent polymers (SAPs)

In this study, the self-healing property of cementitious materials with crystalline admixtures (CAs) and super absorbent polymers (SAPs) was investigated. Specimens were pre-cracked with a crack width of 0.210-0.304 mm at 7 and 28 days. The self-healing capacity was evaluated with the water flow test and crack closing test, and self-healing products were investigated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The water flow of specimens containing CAs greatly decreased relative to that of the plain specimen after self-healing. The results indicate that the CAs increased the self-healing capability of cement-based materials. The specimen containing SAPs was observed to re-swell and seal cracks. For example, the water flow was reduced 100% in the case with a 0.256 mm crack width. Using CAs with SAPs accelerated the crack sealing. SEM observation confirmed that CAs produced more self-healing products around SAPs.