EVALUATION OF NATURAL RUBBER LATEX AS ADMIXTURE IN THE MORTAR PROPERTIES

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the potential use of natural rubber latex in brick properties as building material. The most common problem with cement mortar is the spalling of brick, water permeability, durability is very weak and more. Our objective for this research are to determine the compressive strength of Polymer Modified Mortar by using the natural rubber latex as admixture, to investigate the value of mass and density of the PMM natural rubber latex mortar and to produce a mortar with low porosity and water absorption. The natural rubber latex was collected from rubber manufacturer and the percentages used in the mixes were 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% by weight of cement in mortar for trial mixes. The specimen without latex was prepared for comparison. The testing involved identification of total solid content of rubber latex as well as compressive strength for hardened state properties. The samples were cured at 7 and 28 days, and the average of three samples of 50 mm cube samples was measured. The mix of 1: 3 and 1:4 ratios was used and compared in terms of performance in strength after curing. The results revealed that the rubber latex used as admixture in mortar perform significantly in strength properties. It was observed that natural rubber has low workability during mixing when used 10% of rubber latex in the mortar. It can be concluded that natural rubber latex can be utilized as polymer admixture in mortar and definitely in brick production for performance in strength and durability.