Fabrication of high‐performance acrylate grouting materials from tailor made magnesium acrylate solutions

Abstract Acrylate grouting (AG) material is a low‐viscosity aqueous solution capable of forming an elastic water‐plugging gel after being injected into seepage cracks. This study highlights the fabrication and performance of AG materials, specifically emphasizing the use of magnesium acrylate (MgDA) as the principal precursor for the polymer gel network. Additionally, 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) serves as a bifunction crosslinker and accelerator, while sodium persulfate and potassium ferricyanide act as initiator and retarder, respectively. AG materials are made of these four key ingredients mixed in an aqueous solution, and then polymerized into a highly elastic water‐plugging gel. Our systematic investigation indicated that the MgDA and DMAEMA concentrations significantly influence the performance of the AG material. The optimized AG material formulation containing 24% MgDA and 1.4% DMAEMA, exhibited an elongation at break of 1040%, a water absorption of 67% and a compressive strength of 363 kPa in grouted sand. The gel time could be adjusted from under 20 s to more than 20 min, offering versatility to meet various application requirements. Beyond its good bonding performance and superior extrusion resistance, the AG materials displayed excellent water‐plugging effect. Impressively, even after extending the closed water test to 360 days, the gel displayed no significant change in color or signs of degradation, and the treated crack remained in a deep dry state with no evidence of leakage, confirming the AG material's superior durability. With its advantageous permeability and excellent water‐plugging effect, the AG material is well‐suited for applications in micro‐crack sealing, seepage prevention and stratum reinforcement grouting.