Rheological behavior of fresh latex polymeric mortar by squeeze-flow technique

Abstract This work reports the first experimental effort using the squeeze-flow technique for evaluating the rheological behavior of latex polymeric mortar. Polymeric mortar (PM) is a new class of building material used for laying bricks on non-structural walls replacing Portland cement mortar. The rheological behavior of using fresh PM as a function of the latex resin content was assessed by squeeze-flow technique. Samples were tested at two displacement rates (0.01 mm/s and 3 mm/s), up to a maximum displacement of 9 mm. The results indicated that the squeeze-flow technique is a viable method for the rheological characterization of fresh polymeric mortar. Rheological parameters such as viscosity and yield stress were determined successfully. Mortars with a higher resin content were more difficult to deform, resulting in higher loads. Furthermore, the viscosity as well as the yield stress showed a strong positive linear correlation with the resin content of the PM. The test results suggest that the rheological parameters are sensitive to displacement rates. The lowest displacement rate (0.1 mm/s) resulted in lower deviations, higher viscosity and lower yield stress.