Influence of cryolite on the properties of polycarboxylate cement

Zinc oxide, the inorganic component of polycarboxylate cement, was mixed with the filler cryolite (Na3A1F6) in various proportions that ranged from 10% to 50%. These powder combinations were mixed with polyacrylic acid in three powder-to-liquid ratios of 1:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1 (w/w). The physical properties of the resulting cements such as setting time and compressive and diametral tensile strengths were determined. It was observed that the setting time increased with an increase in cryolite content. The compressive and diametral tensile strengths also increased by twofold with a concentration of 20% cryolite.