Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Emulsion-Modified Alkali-Activated Slag Repair Material: Mechanical Strength and Durability Linked to Microstructural Properties

Abstract

This study prepared modified alkali-activated slag repair materials by incorporating an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion (EVA). Sulfate attack tests, shrinkage tests, scanning electron microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry tests were conducted to examine the durability and microstructural features of the alkali-activated slag repair materials. The experimental results demonstrated that adding EVA can enhance the shrinkage and strength of alkali-activated slag mortar, but that the materials exhibit poor resistance to sulfate attack. Optimizing the ratio design can yield alkali-activated cementitious materials with high strength, good durability, high bonding strength, and low shrinkage. This can reduce brittleness and increase the shrinkage rate of the material’s defects, which has significant implications for subsequent fracture repair. The image of the microstructure showed that the section of alkali-activated slag paste is smooth and exhibits polymer emulsion filling gaps in the amorphous cementitious material. A connection between fibrous filaments on the cross section of the matrix crack enhances the strength of the material. The proportion of microcracks is increased and material strength is decreased after sulfate attack.