The degree of polymerisation shrinkage of adhesive resin cements

L C Prinsloo1, P J van der Vyver

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pretoria.

Related Concept Videos

Shrinkage in Concrete01:27

Shrinkage in Concrete

Shrinkage in concrete is primarily due to water loss from evaporation, hydration of cement, or carbonation, leading to a reduction in volume. The volumetric contraction results in volumetric strain in concrete. However, in practice, shrinkage is measured as linear strain, which is one-third of the volumetric strain.
When concrete is still in its plastic state, it can undergo a decrease in volume by about 1% of its absolute volume. This decrease is known as plastic shrinkage. It arises either...
Drying Shrinkage01:21

Drying Shrinkage

When hardened concrete is exposed to air with a relative humidity of less than 100 percent, it begins to lose the free water within its capillaries. As this water evaporates, the water initially adsorbed onto the calcium silicate hydrates migrates towards these now empty spaces and eventually evaporates as well. Over time, as more water leaves, the volume of the concrete decreases, a phenomenon known as drying shrinkage.
A portion of this drying shrinkage can be reversed; if the concrete is...
Curing of Concrete01:20

Curing of Concrete

The hydration of cement takes place within the water-filled capillary pores. However, environmental elements can disrupt this process by evaporating water from the concrete surfaces. Sealed concrete with a water-cement ratio below 0.5 experiences self-desiccation, leading to water loss. The water loss in concrete is mitigated by curing. This technique involves keeping the concrete saturated to maintain the necessary temperature and moisture conditions, to optimally fill the spaces in the cement...
Porosity in Cement Paste01:18

Porosity in Cement Paste

The porosity of concrete is a measure of the void spaces within its structure. These spaces impact its strength and durability significantly. When water and cement interact, a chemical reaction called hydration creates a semi-solid paste. This paste includes combined water, making up approximately 23% of the cement's dry mass, and gel water, which fills minuscule voids known as gel pores, accounting for about 28% of the cement gel volume.
The balance of water to cement in the mix is critical—it...
Pore Size Distribution01:23

Pore Size Distribution

In concrete, the pore size distribution significantly influences the material's properties. Capillary pores, markedly larger than gel pores, form a vast network within partially hydrated cement paste, reducing the concrete's strength and increasing its permeability. This heightened permeability leads to a greater risk of damage from environmental factors like freeze-thaw cycles and chemical attacks, with the extent of vulnerability also being tied to the water-to-cement ratio.
Adequate...
Types of Cement I01:21

Types of Cement I

Portland cement comes in several types, each with distinct properties and applications based on their chemical composition and hydration characteristics:
Type I (Ordinary Portland Cement) is widely used for general construction where special properties are not required. It has moderate sulfate resistance and heat of hydration.
Type II (Modified Cement) offers moderate resistance to sulfate attack and a lower rate of heat development compared to Type I. It is suitable for structures in...