ABSTRACT
The rheological properties of the investigated mortars are given in Table 2. Note that most of the latices increase the slump and flow of the mortars substantially, with the greatest effect for polymer 3 (SBR). In addition to the effect of surfactants in the latices and the ball-bearing effect of polymer particles, the slump and flow of the mortars also increase with increasing air content. The measured air volumes were gauged just after the completion of mixing. However, the handling of the mix, such as moulding and vibrating, may affect the initial air content (unstable air). This was checked by calculating the air content of the cured mortars on the basis of data from a capillary suction test(4). As seen from the table, these values are in general lower (or insignificantly higher) than the corresponding volumes in the fresh mix, as expected.
