Evaluation of polymer concrete for application to repository sealing. [Polymer concretes]

Technical Report · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6649472

Coons, W E; Meyer, D; Kelsall, P C

While polymer concrete can mean any concrete which incorporates a polymeric compound in the final product, this report evaluates concretes in which polymers are the primary cementing phases. Such materials have been developed for use in cementing wells drilled for geothermal energy because they can be formulated for low permeability, high strength, and resistance to chemical attack under short-term hydrothermal conditions. These attributes previously led to identification of polymer concrete as a material for possible use during sealing of nuclear waste repositories. A review of the literature reveals that polymer concretes are generally stronger, more resistant, and less permeable than common portland concretes. However, the performance of specialized portland concrete formulations compares favorably with polymer concrete. The review indicates that long-term stability of polymer concrete is suspect and that optimum emplacement of the material in large volume excavations may be both difficult and hazardous. Further, the cost of materials for fabricating polymer concrete may exceed the cost of portland concretes by an order of magnitude or more. In conclusion, the increased uncertainty and costs, and possible hazards associated with polymer concrete, coupled with anticipated emplacement difficulties and possible long-term instability, warrant that research concerning its performance be deferred pending evaluation of portland-cement bound materials. While these conclusions have been drawn strictly from evaluations of polymer cemented concrete, many of them are believed to apply in a general sense to any polymeric material that might be used in quantity to seal nuclear waste repositories.

• Research Organization: D'Appolonia Consulting Engineers, Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6649472
• Report Number(s): ONWI-410; ON: DE83004366
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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BUILDING MATERIALS
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CONCRETES
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