VAE powder-Applications of VAE-RDP

VAE powder-Applications of VAE-RDP

VAE powder-Applications of VAE-RDP

Applications for VAE-RDP include the formulation of building materials such as tile adhesives, grouting, finishing plasters, smoothing compounds, thin mortars and sealing pastes. The amount of VAE-RDP added to cement and mortar is approximately 2-10%, depending on the desired increase in strength, impact resistance, adhesion and water resistance of the compound.

For wall tile adhesive applications, VAE-RDP improves slump, water retention and workability. This allows tiles to be laid from top to bottom without tile slippage or the need for shims, VAE-RDP also improves the levelling properties of tile adhesives and other cementitious materials.

Demand for VAE-RDP has also grown into surface coating compounds where VAE helps to improve wall adhesion and crack bridging properties.

In oil and gas well cementing operations, polymer powder/cement combinations exhibit improved rheological properties and durability, while also causing water loss in cement slurries and oilfield fluids. The powder enhanced gas migration control of the cement slurry with minimal effect on extending the slurry setting time.

By improving particle-to-particle bonding, hardened cement/polymer compositions exhibit improved flexibility and strength properties, as well as higher adhesion and durability. For on-site operations, VAE dispersible powders offer advantages in handling, storage and on-site mixing, while improving water retention, workability and mechanical strength properties, as well as reducing the permeability of the cementitious material.

VAE-RDP grades and general applications can be distinguished by their glass transition temperature (Tg), which for amorphous polymers such as VAE is the critical temperature at which the material changes from a glassy solid to a rubbery material. When the ambient temperature is above Tg, the polymer becomes rubber. When the ambient temperature is below Tg, the polymer becomes a glassy material.