A systematic investigation of the waterproofing performance and chloride resistance of a self-developed waterborne silane-based hydrophobic agent for mortar and concrete

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2017-11, Vol.155, p.939-946
• Main Authors: Xue, Xiao, Li, Yanwen, Yang, Zhuo, He, Zhongyu, Dai, Jian-Guo, Xu, Lijin, Zhang, Weidong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Capillary water absorption; Chemical properties; Chloride resistance; Concretes; Mechanical properties; Micelle size; Micro-pore structure; Mortar; Penetration depth; Thermal properties; Water absorption; Water impermeability; Water penetrability
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.08.042

•The silane-based emulsion has low penetration depth due to the large micelle size.•The water absorption can be significantly suppressed by the hydrophobic agent.•The agent has excellent thermal, low-temperature, UV, alkali and acid resistances.•The waterborne hydrophobic agent possesses good water penetrability.•The surface impregnation increases the compactness of cement based materials. The physicochemical properties of a self-developed, waterborne, saline-based hydrophobic agent and the chloride resistance of concrete treated with the waterborne hydrophobic agent are presented in this paper. The low penetration depth of the waterborne hydrophobic agent is found to be primarily determined by the large micelle size. Moreover, the capillary water absorption is significantly suppressed by the surface treatment of the cement-based substrates with the waterborne hydrophobic agent. In terms of the water penetrability, the waterborne hydrophobic agent has remarkable thermal, low-temperature, ultraviolet, alkali and acid resistances. The compactness of the mortar specimen impregnated with the waterborne hydrophobic agent is improved, resulting in the unexpected increase in the water impermeability of the impregnated mortar. In addition, the impregnated concrete specimen has a pronounced chloride resistance. The penetration depth of the waterborne hydrophobic agent developed in this work is as low as 0.43mm, yet it is still more than qualified to serve asa waterproofing product.