DETERGENT INCORPORATION IN CEMENT MORTARS: STUDY ON TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY

Abstract

The incorporation of detergent in the production of cement mortars has been a common practice on the part of professionals in the field. These claim that the detergent plays the role of an air-entraining additive. This research becomes very pertinent, since the price difference between these products is considerable. For socioeconomic reasons and in favor of science, the main purpose of this study is to analyze the technical viability of the incorporation of detergents in cementitious mortar. The methodology followed for the verification of the performance of the proposed material is based on mechanical analyzes of the matrices produced, according to ABNT standardization. It can be seen that, with increasing detergent concentration, there was an increase in the amount of air incorporated in the matrix and a higher workability. On the other hand, there was also a decrease in mechanical resistance and an increase in water absorption. Based on the results found, it is believed that the tensile strength also would not meet the specifications, since in the compression strength test there was a great loss of resistance compared to the reference test body, concluding that no there is technical feasibility of the use of detergents in cement mortars at the concentrations tested. It is worth mentioning that there is no knowledge of all the effects that detergents cause in cement mortars, requiring tests with greater complexity and in different concentrations for the precise definition of detergent effects.