The effect of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) addition in the ordinary cement and mortar mixes on the properties such as setting time, heat of hydration, compressive and tensile strength has been studied by adding 0.5 % additive by weight of cement. Hardness has been determined using the Vickers indentation method and the fracture toughness of cementitious bond and flexural strengths have been determined using three point bending system. Corrosion resistance of resulting products has been tested against each of 0.1 N and 1.0N of HCl and H2SO4 and seawater. FTIR and X-ray diffraction techniques have been employed to determine the phase compositions of the material. The polymeric phase is interspersed in cement and causes decreases in water absorption; also its interaction with hydrating cement phases results in the additional bond formation, leading to the increase in strength.
