Preparation and properties of an environment friendly polymer-modified waterproof mortar

A new type of environment friendly polymer-modified waterproof mortar (PMWM) was developed through adding ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/vinyl acetate–vinyl ester of versatic acid (Va–VeoVa) mixture (re-dispersible emulsion powder), mine tailings, quartz sand and additives to the eco-cement, which was prepared by grinding the mixture of steel slag, blast-furnace slag, fly ash and activator. The optimal material proportioning of PMWM was obtained based on the Orthogonal experiment: re-dispersible emulsion powder, 11 wt.%; cement–sand ratio, 1:3.5 (tailings/quartz sand = 1:3); EVA/Va–VeoVa ratio, 1:1; water reducing agent (based on the cement weight), 1.5 wt.%. The product conforms to JC/T 984-2005 (China professional standard: Polymer–cement waterproof mortar). Some factors influencing the characteristics of the mortar were discussed.

Research highlights
► We use an eco-cement and tailings to prepare polymer-modified waterproof mortar.
► The optimized proportioning was obtained with Orthogonal experiment.
► The product prepared is environment friendly.
► We studied the micro-structure of harden paste of the mortar with SEM.