Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Polymer Mortars Containing Biochar

Partial replacement of quartz flour microfiller in polymer composites with biocarbon is one of the potential ways to utilize this waste. The article discusses the possibility of using biocarbon as a component of vinyl ester mortars, in the context of their chemical resistance. The tests were carried out for mortars with different quantitative compositions, and therefore with different biocarbon contents. They were subjected to 12-month exposure to a chemically aggressive environment. Solutions of 0.5% sulfuric acid(VI) and 5% sodium hydroxide were used. Measures of resistance were changes in weight, compressive strength, longitudinal ultrasonic wave velocities and quantitative changes in microstructure compared to chemically unstressed samples. The results show that vinyl ester mortars with biocarbon are more resistant to chemical aggression with sulfuric(VI) acid solution. A significant decrease in compressive strength, ultrasonic wave velocity and an increase in the values of stereological parameters were observed after exposure of the composites in sodium base solution. This is in contrast to the chemical aggression in the acid solution, after which the changes in the properties and microstructural parameters of the mortars were not so clear