Reduction of water evaporation and cracks on plastic concrete surface by monolayers

This paper is concerned about the reduction of water evaporation and cracks on plastic concrete surface by monolayers which prepared from poly(lauryl methacrylate) emulsions. The results showed that the monolayers could effectively reduce water evaporation and improve concrete surface properties, such as inhibiting the formation of plastic-shrinkage cracking and crust. After characterizing the monolayer microstructure in detail, it was pointed out that the emulsifier concentration had great impaction on monolayer structure though the relationship was complicated. Finally, the technique was successfully used in a practical engineering to further testify its effect on plastic concrete surface.