Abstract
Composite materials reinforced with recycled fibers gather a great deal of interest with regards to construction applications. A novel polymer concrete composite was proposed, comprised of a surface layer and a structural composite reinforced with recycled glass fibers. The novel multi-material composite included a large amount of glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) waste (30%), which is expected to help protect the environment. Large panels comprised of this polymer concrete composite, which reproduce the appearance of natural stone, were manufactured. A new methodology for porosity analysis of a large panel comprised of a multi-material composite was proposed, utilizing three-dimensional (3D) X-ray computed tomography (CT). The volume of pores was distributed between the constituent composite materials and then statistically analyzed. Homogeneous distribution of the pores within the novel multi-material composite was found. The observed mean porosities of the composite panel were 0.146% for the surface layer material and 31.3% for the structural composite material. The mean density of the panel, determined by the CT density method, was 1.73 g/cm3. The composite materials porosity provides a favorable effect for achieving lightweight structures. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, it was observed that a good connection interface between the constituent composite materials existed.
Highlights
Composite materials offer greater advantages than most other commonly used materials and continue to grow in importance each day
The computed tomography (CT) parts were prepared for pore morphology analysis, which was achieved by closing the surface around the open pores
A novel polymer concrete composite obtained by utilizing glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) waste is investigated by 3D X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy analysis
Summary
Composite materials offer greater advantages than most other commonly used materials and continue to grow in importance each day. Composite materials have applicability across almost all domains, including the automotive, railway, aerospace, naval, electronics, medicinal, and civil construction industries. The widespread use of these materials currently generates a large amount of waste products from the technological processes of production or from the product removal process. The frequency of product removals has increased due to two main factors: faster development of new products and shorter product life cycles. It is very important to identify all.
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