Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of M40-Grade Concrete with PCB Fiber from Recycled Electronic Waste

Abstract

Printed circuit board (PCB) fiber in concrete is a novel and radical concept in durable concrete because it helps to reduce environmental pollution and resolve waste management issues. Concrete made from e-waste fiber is a substitute for conventional concrete because it improves the properties of traditional concrete and decreases the quantity of electronic waste dumped into nature. This paper investigates the effect of using a PCB after extracting nonmetallic parts. The remaining parts were made into fiber and added to the concrete at 1%, 2%, and 3% of the cement’s weight. The e-waste PCB fiber of aspect ratios 10 and 20 was added to M40-grade concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45. The fresh and hardened properties of the PCB fiber concrete were investigated and compared with those of conventional concrete after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. The experimental results revealed that electronic waste fiber concrete showed increased strength compared with control concrete. Ultrasonic pulse velocity and rebound hammer tests were also performed to evaluate the quality of e-waste PCB fiber concrete. The rebound hammer test results were compared with those of the compressive strength of e-waste fiber concrete, and both results were found to be in close agreement. This study also found that recycling hazardous electronic waste generated in the construction industry would help manage waste better and prevent environmental problems caused by electronic waste.