Please consider attending the following: MATERIALS ENGINEERING SEMINAR "Inverse Suspension Polymerization of Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Hydrogels for Internally Cured Concrete" By Stacey L. Kelly Purdue MSE M.S. Final Exam Advisor: Professor Kendra A. Erk ABSTRACT Internal curing agents provide high performance concrete (HPC) with an internal source of hydration during hardening to mitigate shrinkage and increase strength. Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogels have proven to be effective internal curing agents because of their ability to absorb and release large amounts of water. In this study, inverse suspension polymerization is used to synthesize spherical poly(sodium-acrylate acrylamide) hydrogels and determine their impact on internally cured mortar through micro-structure analysis, autogenous shrinkage measurements and compression testing. The hydrogels were synthesized in house with two concentrations of PANa (17 and 83 wt%). SEM micrographs of cement paste segments confirmed that the hydrogels maintain their shape during mixing and the resulting voids are consistent with the hydrogel shape. Mortar containing these hydrogels showed a significant decrease in autogenous shrinkage and an increase in compressive strength compared to control mortar. This data was compared to a past study that used a solution polymerization technique to synthesize angular hydrogels. The spherical hydrogels improved cement hydration and mortar strength compared to mortar containing angular hydrogels. Date: Friday, June 16, 2017 Time: 1:30 P.M. Place: ARMS 3115