MMA-based fast-curing repair materials suitable for low-temperature application

Abstract In this study, the application of methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin as the binder and standard sand as the aggregate has been employed to prepare the repair materials that can be cured in the sub-zero temperature environment. For this purpose, the redox initiation system of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMPT) has been used. Subsequently, the influence of initiator and accelerator content on the compressive strength, flexural strength, curing time and other properties of the materials has been revealed. At an ambient temperature of 0 °C, with BPO = 4.5% and DMPT = 3.5%, the developed repair materials can be cured within 31 min, and the 1 h compressive strength reaches 84.6 MPa. At an ambient temperature of −25 °C, with BPO = 4% and DMPT = 5%, the repair materials can be cured within 43 min, with the 1 h compressive strength reaching 53.4 MPa. The materials can be swiftly cured at low-temperature and exhibit excellent mechanical properties, thus, confirming their suitability for extreme environments. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and other techniques have been employed to characterize the developed materials.