Abstract
This paper investigates the physical and mechanical properties of mortars modified with waste polyurethane foam (WPF) and the influence of hydrophobising agents on the physical characteristics. The sand was substituted with WPF (2-4 mm grain size) in the mortars which consisted of 5, 10 and 15% of foam, respectively. The contact angle of lightweight mortars was determined (θw) in the function of time, prior to and after the frost resistance test. The surface free energy characterizing the wettability and adhesion of mortars under normal conditions and following frost erosion was calculated with Neumann’s method based on the obtained data. The structure of mortars, adhesion of lightweight aggregate to cement paste and the structure of thin hydrophobic film were demonstrated by means of scanning electron microscopy. The mortars subjected to hydrophobisation process revealed a slight mass change caused by freezing and thawing processes: 0.1% for methyl silicone resin, 2.1% for alkyl-alkoxy-silane, and 9.2% for the samples which were not hydrophobized. On average, the contact angle of the standard mortars was 3 times lower than the one of hydrophobic material. The best results illustrating the efficiency of hydrophobisation were obtained for methyl silicone resin.
Highlights
Due to a growing problem of construction waste utilization, engineers are seeking possibilities of their management
An example of artificial aggregate achieved from material recycling can be waste polyurethane foam (WPF) used in lightweight mortars [4,5,6] and lightweight concrete [7,8]
The authors have confirmed in their research that the application of different hydrophobising agents causes a significant reduction of wettability and the increase of frost resistance of lightweight mortars
Summary
Due to a growing problem of construction waste utilization, engineers are seeking possibilities of their management. An example of artificial aggregate achieved from material recycling can be waste polyurethane foam (WPF) used in lightweight mortars [4,5,6] and lightweight concrete [7,8]. The authors would like to call attention to the problem of construction waste recycling, including polyurethane foam (WPF), and to their low resistance to water and frost. The purpose of these studies is to determine physical reference properties of hydrophobised insulating mortars containing recycled foam, because the literature lacks information on this subject. The authors have confirmed in their research that the application of different hydrophobising agents causes a significant reduction of wettability and the increase of frost resistance of lightweight mortars
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