Polishing resistance of polymer concrete pavement using limestone aggregate

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the polishing resistance of uncoated and resin-coated specimens under polishing and chemical attack. Low-quality aggregate, limestone and orthophthalic unsaturated polyester resin were the main materials. From the analysis, the macrotexture was reduced from the coarser aggregate to finer aggregate mix proportion. Resin-coated specimen was more polishing resistant than the uncoated specimen. Thickness reduction for resin-coated specimen was 1.8% after 9 h polishing, while the thickness reduction for uncoated specimen was 1.9% after 6 h polishing. In comparison with the uncoated specimen, the British pendulum number (BPN) of resin-coated specimen under dry and wet conditions was 8% higher and 16% lower, respectively. For the chemical resistant investigation, the immerging mediums used were water, sulphuric acid, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and used engine oil. The uncoated and resin-coated specimens were immersed into the solutions under direct immersion as well as wetting and drying for 24 weeks. Sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide affected the BPN on both uncoated and resin-coated specimens but not for water and used engine oil, while sodium chloride only affected the BPN of the uncoated specimen.