Preparation of EPS-Based Thermal Insulation Mortar with Improved Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

A new method of preparing expandable polystyrene (EPS) insulation mortar is presented in this work. It consists of using two polymer emulsion adhesives (POEA): commercial water-soluble polyvinyl formaldehyde adhesive (PFA) and polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PAE). The effects of EPS dosage, polymer emulsion adhesive, air-entraining agent, and fly ash content on the performance of EPS mortar were investigated. The workability, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, water absorption, and softness coefficient of the prepared samples were experimentally studied. The experimental results showed that high-performance EPS thermal insulation mortar can be prepared by limiting the EPS volume fraction to 80%–82%, air content to around 20%, and fly ash content to 20%. The bonding strength and flexural strength were improved as polyvinyl acetate emulsion was added. Also, the drying shrinkage and thermal conductivity were improved with the addition of fly ash.