Influences of polypropylene fiber and SBR polymer latex on abrasion resistance of cement mortar

Influences of polypropylene (PP) fiber and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) polymer latex on the strength performance, abrasion resistance of cement mortar were studied. The experimental results show that the flexural strength, brittleness index (σ_F/σ_C) and abrasion resistance can be improved significantly by the addition of PP fiber and SBR polymer latex. The relationship between the flexural strength and abrasion resistance was analyzed, showing a good linear relationship between them. The reinforced mechanism of PP fiber and SBR polymer latex on cement mortar was analyzed by some microscopic tests. The test results show that the addition of SBR polymer latex has no significant influence on the cement hydration after 7 d curing. Adding SBR polymer latex into cement mortar can form a polymer transition layer in the interfaces of PP fiber and cement hydrates, which improves the bonding properties between the PP fiber and cement mortar matrix effectively.