Exploring the Future of High-Energy Materials and Their Applications in Science
In the past, attempts have been made to clarify the working mechanism of methyl cellulose (MC). Early works from Schweizer et al. present the effect of cellulose ethers on water retention and rheology of cementitious mortars and gypsum-based machinery plasters [15], [16]. They demonstrate that adsorption of methyl cellulose is clearly dependent on the degree of substitution (DS). At DS values of > 1.6 which are typical for MC products used in the building industry, only a minor amount (~ 20%) of the MC powder adsorbs. In a very skillful experiment the authors show that during the drying process of a gypsum-based render, MC migrates with the water to the surface of the render and is not retained by adsorption. Thus, they conclude that MC does not adsorb on the binder or its hydrates. Similar observations have been made by Yammamuro et al. [17].
The modification of cement mortar by polymer enables the two to obtain complementary effects, so that polymer-modified mortar can be used in many special occasions. In addition, due to the potential of dry mix mortar in quality control, construction operation, storage and environmental protection, dispersible polymer powder provides an effective technical means for the production of special dry mortar products. As mentioned above, the three major varieties of special dry mortar products are tile adhesive, bonding and plastering mortar in external wall insulation system, and self-leveling mortar. Combined with the above analysis of the mechanism of redispersible polymer powder , we discuss its role in these three typical specialty dry mortar products.