Para-aramid-reinforced gel for plaster rehabilitation
Described is a thixotropic para-aramid gel that includes a polymer resin, an alkali-soluble anionic thickener, an adhesion promoter, and para-aramid pulp fibers. The polymer resin includes at least one of an acrylate copolymer and a styrene-acrylate copolymer. Also described is a method of producing the para-aramid gel for plaster reinforcement. The method includes mixing the polymer resin, the alkali-soluble anionic thickener, and the adhesion promoter to create a thixotropic gel, and then spinning para-aramid pulp fibers into the thixotropic gel using a high shear mixer. A method of reinforcing a plaster ceiling is also described. The method includes inserting a plurality of fasteners into a visible surface of the ceiling, leaving a portion of each fastener exposed at or above the visible surface, and applying a layer of the para-aramid-reinforced thixotropic gel to the visible surface and encapsulating the portion of each fastener within the layer.
1. A thixotropic para-aramid gel for plaster reinforcement, comprising:
a polymer resin, wherein the polymer resin includes at least an acrylate copolymer;
an alkali-soluble anionic thickener;
an adhesion promoter; and
para-aramid pulp fibers.
2. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 1 , wherein the para-aramid pulp fibers are present in an amount from about 1 to 5 percent by weight.
3. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 2 , wherein the para-aramid pulp fibers are present in an amount of about 2 percent by weight.
4. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 1 , wherein the polymer resin is present in an amount from about 60 to 80 percent by weight.
5. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 4 , wherein the polymer resin is present in an amount of about 70 percent by weight.
6. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 1 , wherein the alkali-soluble anionic thickener is present in an amount from about 20 to 30 percent by weight.
7. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 6 , wherein the alkali-soluble anionic thickener is present in an amount of about 25 percent by weight.
8. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adhesion promoter comprises a dispersion based on vinyl acetate and ethylene.
9. The thixotropic para-aramid gel claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adhesion promoter is present in an amount of about 5 percent by weight.
10. A method of producing a para-aramid gel for plaster reinforcement, comprising:
mixing a polymer resin, an alkali-soluble anionic thickener, and an adhesion promoter to create a thixotropic gel, wherein the polymer resin includes at least an acrylate copolymer; and
spinning para-aramid pulp fibers into the thixotropic gel using a high shear mixer.
11. The method claimed in claim 10 , wherein the spinning comprises mixing the thixotropic gel at about 2000 rpm and adding the para-aramid pulp fibers in small quantities to avoid clumping.
12. The method claimed in claim 10 , wherein the para-aramid pulp fibers are about 1 to 5 percent by weight of the para-aramid gel.
13. The method claimed in claim 10 , wherein the polymer resin is about 60 to 80 percent by weight of the thixotropic gel.
14. The method claimed in claim 10 , wherein the alkali-soluble anionic thickener is about 20 to 30 percent by weight of the thixotropic gel.
15. The method claimed in claim 10 , wherein the adhesion promoter is about 5 percent by weight of the thixotropic gel.