New polymer mortars containing polymeric wastes. Part 1. Microstructure and mechanical properties

Abstract

Recycling industrial wastes as filler components and/or aggregates in polymer mortars makes these materials very interesting from an ecological and safety point of view. In addition, the resulting materials have useful physical and mechanical properties. Four recycled fillers (powdered rubbers, tyre rubbers, micronized tyre fibers and milled electrical cable wastes) have been used to formulate new polymer mortars. The comparison of their mechanical properties and microstructures with those of a plain polymer mortar indicates that the presence of recycled waste affects the physical–mechanical behavior (compressive and flexural strengths, microstructure). The use of silane coupling agents has been also considered and its effect in leading to more compact materials is reported and discussed.