Photothermal investigation of magnesium oxysulfate cement

The effect of polyvinyl acetate polymer (PVAc) on thermal performance and compressive strength of magnesium oxysulfate cement has been investigated. The PVAc polymer was added to the cement matrix of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of MOS weight. The thermal properties of MOS cement were determined by Photothermal Deflection Technique (PTD). Thermal properties such as thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity is measured by fitting the experimental curves of photothermal signal to the best corresponding theoretical curves. The results revealed that the incorporation of PVAc polymer enhance the thermal insulation and reduce the compressive strength of MOS cement. The addition of 10% PVAc polymer has been improved the thermal performance of cement compared to others specimens. The key to reducing properties is the size and amount of air bubbles formed in the cement matrix.