Choosing the Right Redispersible Polymer Powder for Mortar

Choosing the Right Redispersible Polymer Powder for Mortar

Redispersible polymer powder is an essential component in the construction industry, particularly in mortar applications. With a wide range of options available in the market, it can be daunting to select the ideal polymer powder that suits your project requirements. In this blog post, we will guide you how to choose the right redispersible polymer powder for mortar. And provide insights on how to determine whether a polymer powder is flexible or rigid.

1. Assessing Flexibility or Rigidity of Polymer Powder
Determining the flexibility or rigidity of a redispersible polymer powder for mortar is crucial. Here’s how you can judge whether a polymer powder is flexible or rigid:

1. Elasticity
A flexible polymer powder will exhibit good elasticity, allowing the mortar to withstand slight movement without cracking. A rigid polymer powder lacks elasticity and may lead to reduced flexibility in the mortar.

Elasticity is a key characteristic in determining the flexibility of a redispersible polymer powder for mortar. To assess the elasticity, consider the following:

Tackiness: A flexible polymer powder will exhibit some degree of tackiness when touched, indicating its ability to deform without cracking. In contrast, a rigid polymer powder will feel dry and lacking in tackiness.

Stretchability: A flexible polymer powder can be easily stretched, showing its capacity to accommodate movement without breaking. This can be evaluated by gently pulling or stretching the polymer powder, noting the degree of elongation before it tears.

Recovery: After stretching a polymer powder, observe how well it returns to its original shape. A flexible polymer powder will have good recovery, bouncing back to its original form. Conversely, a rigid polymer powder will show minimal elasticity and struggle to regain its shape.

2. Tensile strength
A flexible polymer powder will have relatively lower tensile strength, enabling the mortar to accommodate slight deformations. In contrast, a rigid polymer powder will have higher tensile strength, making the mortar more resistant to deformations.

Tensile strength is an essential property to consider when judging the flexibility or rigidity of a redispersible polymer powder for mortar. Follow these steps to assess tensile strength:

Preparation: Prepare a test specimen by mixing the polymer powder with water according to the recommended guidelines. Allow the mixture to dry and solidify.

Testing: Use a tensile testing machine to apply forces to the specimen until it breaks. A flexible polymer powder will exhibit lower tensile strength, indicating its ability to deform under stress. A
rigid polymer powder will demonstrate higher tensile strength, reflecting its resistance to deformations.